Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, born on October 28, 1956, in Aradan, Iran, served as the President of Iran from 2005 to 2013. A populist conservative, he was known for his controversial statements including denial of the Holocaust, questioning 9/11, and calling for the destruction of Israel. His presidency saw Iran's nuclear program become a major international issue, leading to sanctions. The disputed 2009 presidential election sparked the Green Movement protests. Ahmadinejad came from a humble background as the son of a blacksmith and served as mayor of Tehran before becoming president. After leaving office, he has attempted political comebacks but has been largely sidelined by the establishment.