Iran’s former president Mohammed Khatami has said he will run in the country’s presidential election in June.
 
Khatami, who is seen as a moderate, held the office from 1997 to 2005.
 
His decision to stand pitches him against current conservative incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has indicated he intends to run again. 
 
Under Ahmadinejad relations with the West have soured, caused mostly by tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme.
 
The election in June will be keenly watched by Washington, which has recently indicated it is willing to talk with the Islamic republic.

Copyright © 2012 euronews