His candidacy may split voters opposed to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the current president who is likely to stand again. His rivals include ex-President Mohammad Khatami and Mahdi Karroubi, both of whom are leading moderates. “We have to avoid wasting resources for short-term interests and unworthy political aims,” said Mr Mousavi in a statement – in an apparent criticism of President Ahmadinejad. He also praised Iran’s technological achievements, especially in the nuclear field – a source of tension between the fourth-largest producer of oil and the United States.