Iranian ex-trade minister says mulling presidential candidacy

TEHRAN, Nov.4 (MNA) – Former commerce minister Mohammad Shariatmadrai said he is thinking about running in the next year’s presidential election. Shariatmadrai told the Mehr News Agency that he has not “promised” to any political group or faction not to contest the presidential election. He also expressed hope that a situation is provided in the country that “moderate reformists” can run in the election. Shariatmadrai was commerce minister from 1997-2005 during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami. He is currently a member of the Supreme Council for Foreign Relations.