The majority of Iran’s popular political figures, celebrities and sports icons have criticized the state violence against the ongoing wave of protests that began in September. But others loyal to the government have firmly stood by their leaders. Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s silence since the beginning of the uprising on Sept. 16 is very curious, exposing his possible intentions to remain an establishment loyalist rather than falling out of grace with the ruling clerics. 

After stepping down in 2013, Ahmadinejad began stepping cautiously forward to carve out a new public image for himself — one that is characterized by liberal attitudes, a conciliatory foreign policy and tolerant views on women's rights. His eight years as president plunged Iran into unprecedented isolation and foisted an extended period of social and cultural downturn when the government banned newspapers, censorship was on the ascent and internet restrictions were tightened.  

It was under Ahmadinejad’s watch that Facebook and Twitter were blocked; several foreign news agencies and broadcasters, such as Reuters, BBC World and Al-Arabiya, had their bureaus in Tehran shuttered; and top pro-reform figures and journalists were put on sham trials and sentenced to lengthy prison terms following the incumbent’s disputed reelection in 2009. 

Most importantly, the notorious division of Iran’s law enforcement known as the morality police, which is responsible for Mahsa Amini’s death, debuted upon Ahmadinejad’s instruction in 2006. He dragged the country into frequent diplomatic imbroglios and was never invited to an official or state visit to any European country.