During his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Iranian Commerce Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari, assured Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz that President Mohammad Khatami would run for a second term in office, the English-language daily Tehran Times wrote on Thursday, quoted by official news agency (IRNA).
Shariatmadari in mid-January paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met with the Kingdom’s CP and top officials.
According to the daily, Crown Prince Abdullah voiced concern over the uncertainty about Khatami's intention to compete in the next presidential elections, slated for June 8.
However, the Iranian commerce minister tried to appease his concern by assuring him of Khatami's intention to fight in the next presidential elections, said the report.
Khatami, who visited Saudi Arabia in May, has worked to improve Tehran's relations with Riyadh since his 1997 election.
The two Gulf nations broke off relations for four years after more than 400 people were killed in 1987 clashes between Saudi security forces and Iranian pilgrims in Mecca demonstrating against Israel and the United States.
Many political analysts believe that if President Khatami seeks reelection, he will certainly win the race unchallenged, said IRNA – Albawaba.com
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