Alireza Zakani, the current Mayor of Tehran and a hardliner politician, has formally registered to run in Iran's presidential election scheduled for June 28, Paralel.Az reports citing Iran International.

Known for his conservative stance and nicknamed the "revolutionary tank," Zakani is returning to the presidential fray after withdrawing in 2021 to support Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19.

Financial and familial scandals have also dogged Zakani. His administration's decision to provide financial deposits to municipal managers for housing needs led to a backlash from several city council members. More personal allegations have surfaced, including nepotism involving his son-in-law and questionable financial dealings by his daughter and her husband with the Islamic Development Organization.

Zakani’s political past includes a stint as the chair of the JCPOA - nuclear deal - commission in the parliament in 2010s, where he transitioned from presenting an impartial stance to becoming a vocal opponent of the agreement.