SAEDNEWS: An evocative vintage photograph has emerged showing former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad walking arm in arm—an unexpected display of camaraderie between two towering figures of Iran’s political landscape.
According to Saed News, an old image circulating on social media captures Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, Iran’s fifth president, and Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the nation’s sixth, walking hand in hand. Khatami led the executive branch from 1997 to 2005, and before his presidency he served as Minister of Culture and headed the National Library of Iran. His tenure is often remembered for its emphasis on civil society and cultural openness.
Dr. Ahmadinejad was born on November 6, 1956, in the village of Aradan, Garmsar County. He moved to Tehran with his family at the age of one. Before his presidency from 2005 to 2013, he was the first governor of Ardabil Province and later served as mayor of Tehran. He remains a member of the Expediency Discernment Council.
The photograph—accompanied by warm smiles—reveals a side of both men seldom seen in public: genuine friendship transcending deep political divides. Observers note that despite stark contrasts in their policies and leadership styles, the image speaks to shared roots and personal respect. It arrives at a moment when Iran’s political class faces fresh scrutiny over unity and internal cohesion.
This rare glimpse of Khatami and Ahmadinejad strolling together invites reflection on the complexities of Iranian politics, where alliances and enmities often shift, but personal bonds can endure.
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