Iran's former Reformist president, Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, has announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections.

Khatami, who ran the office twice from 1997 to 2005, has long been pondering his bid for the country's highest political office directly elected by the people.

The Iranian cleric, according to an exclusive report by Fars news Agency, announced his final decision Monday to once again run for president.

The report adds that Khatami would most likely choose former prime minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi as his vice president.

As Khatami's decision is likely to heat up the race for Iran's presidency, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has yet to declare whether he would seek a second term in June 12 elections.

Former parliament speaker Mehdi Karoubi, who heads the reformist Etemad-e Melli (national confidence) party, has also declared his bid for presidency.

The mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who presents himself as a Principlist, is among Iran's political figures contemplating a run.

Earlier Monday, Iran's former interior minister Mostafa Pour Mohammadi, who was sacked by President Ahmadinejad last year, also announced his decision to challenge presidential candidates in the upcoming elections.

Khatami has called on reformers to prepare for a strong reappearance in the country's political arena. He said in September that, "The Reformist camp should reconsider its defensive approach and go on the offensive".

During his two terms, Khatami worked for political and social change on the country's Reformist platform.

He has also criticized the Ahmadinejad administration for its "aggressive policies", saying the current policies only provide grounds for the enemy to justify its acts against the country.

"Aggressive and blistering rhetoric plays into the hands of the enemy, harming the country and the system," Kargozaran newspaper quoted Khatami as saying in September.

CS/MD