TEHRAN, Iran — Former two-time President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appears to have his eyes set on a third term in office. He has been traveling across Iran lately, addressing his supporters.

On July 29, in a speech in Mashhad, Ahmadinejad said, “They label me as a Freemason [a member of the secretive] Hojjatieh Society, anti–Guardianship of the Jurist [Iran’s ruling system] and a sorcerer. … During elections, some [in this manner] make attempts to disqualify their rivals." Moreover, in a speech in Bafq on Aug. 5, Ahmadinejad said, “I’m aware of the country’s issues, but for now, it is not the right time for me to enter [the stage], but when the time comes, I will be at the service of the nation.”

The former president’s concerns may be rooted in how influential conservative figures have pointed to the Guardian Council possibly quashing his candidacy if he tries to run in the 2017 presidential vote. On April 29, former conservative parliamentarian Ahmad Tavakoli wrote on his Telegram channel, “There are sufficient religious and legal reasons to disqualify Ahmadinejad.” On May 10, senior conservative cleric Gholamreza Mesbahi Moghadam said, “I can state for sure that the Guardian Council will not qualify him.” Moreover, on July 3, Naser Imani, a conservative analyst and former editorial writer at the influential conservative Kayhan newspaper told Entekhab News, “I don’t think the Guardian Council will approve Ahmadinejad [as a candidate].”

The 12-member Guardian Council wields considerable power and influence in Iran. The conservative-dominated council, headed by Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, is charged with interpreting the constitution, supervising elections and approving electoral candidates.