Iran’s Ahmadinejad condemns terrorism after attempt on Trump’s life

Iran's former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad condemned terrorism on Sunday in an apparent reaction to the recent assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump.

Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, resulting in the death of one attendee and critical injuries of two others.

Without naming Trump, Ahmadinejad took to X to denounce terrorism as a violation of human rights.

"Terror and terrorism, whether state-sponsored or non-state, are among the most heinous anti-human actions that words cannot express the depth of their evil," in an apparent reference to the attack."Humanity around the world suffers from such severe pains," he said on X.

The statement is part of his efforts in recent years to rebrand himself as a moderate figure in Iranian politics, although many still remember his hardline policies during his tenure, which included the arrest, torture, and killing of numerous protesters.

Having served as the president of Iran from 2005 to 2013, Ahmadinejad has remained an active and often controversial figure in Iranian politics. He has run for president in every single election since 2017 but has been barred from running three times.

After his latest disqualification, he boycotted the June 28 votes and then travelled to Turkey, sparking mixed reactions. Iranian outlets criticized Ahmadinejad for his photos with women not wearing hijab and questioned the timing of his departure, suggesting a deliberate boycott of the July 5 runoff presidential election.

In an interview with Turkish media, Ahmadinejad emphasized his dedication to peace and global harmony, distancing himself from his past hardline image. It was during his time in office when the morality police were launched to enforce the mandatory hijab on women in Iran.

Ahmadinejad's apparent reaction to the attack on Trump comes one month after he criticized the Supreme Leader's foreign policy, expressing willingness to engage in economic relations with the US and hold talks with Donald Trump.