Khatami may consider running for Iran presidency next year

Tehran: Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami is considering running for office next year, Iranian media reported on Sunday.

The reformist has been urged to stand in the June election but he has laid out conditions before he will agree to be a candidate.

Iranian newspaper Kargozaran quoted him as saying: "My first condition is reaching an agreement with the people on their expectations. The Iranian people have a historical and heartfelt desire for freedom, progress and justice."

Khatami promised to present his programmes and to "see to what extent these programmes can be implemented within the existing [power] structures." He did not elaborate.

Khatami became president in 1997 but was succeeded in 2005 by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.