According to Khabar Online’s political correspondent, at a speech made for the students of Tabriz Medical Science University, Rezaei said, "I have not yet made up my mind to run for the presidential election of 2013."
"But if the issue of coalition government is raised, I will tremendously back the idea because I believe if more and varied forces join hands, the ground will be much more provided for the progress and development of the country," he stated.
Responding to a question about his earlier withdrawals of presidential election in favor of other candidates, Expediency Council secretary said: "I have never withdrawn in favor of other nominees, I have just withdrawn in the interests of Iranian nation, and if it's necessary, I will do the same in future."
Rezaei was the chief commander of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) from 1981 to 1997 during Iraq's imposed war against the Islamic republic (1980-1988) known as 'sacred defense' in Iran.
He was a candidate of Iran's presidential election of 2005, but withdrew only two days before the election. Rezaei described the reason for his withdrawal was more integration and effectiveness of Iranian nation's votes. However, he didn't back any specific candidate.
Rezaei went on to say: "I had not decided to run for the former round of presidential election [June 2009], but observing the situation of that time, I decided to be nominated for the polling."
"I have arrived to the scene of politics with patience and will pave this path with foresight and caution. I will continue with this manner and will try to do my best for the progress and development of the country," Expediency Council secretary added.
Rezaei ran in the disputed presidential election of 2009 as a Principalist candidate. According to Iran's Interior Ministry, he received 587,000 or 1.7 percent of the vote and came third. When the outcome of the election was officially announced, Reza'ei declared his doubts about the result. The election reinstated the incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
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