Iranian News Agency: Ex-President Ahmadinejad Killed In Airstrikes

TEHRAN, March 1 (Bernama-dpa) — Iran's former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was killed in an airstrike in Tehran, the state news agency ILNA reported on Sunday, according to German Press Agency (dpa)

Ahmadinejad, 69, was killed at his home in eastern Tehran along with his bodyguard, ILNA reported.

During his eight-year term in office from 2005 to 2013, Ahmadinejad was initially the favourite of the ruling Shiite clergy as well as hardliners and conservatives in parliament.

However towards the end of his term doubts about his policies grew. His nuclear policy led to numerous sanctions against the country and, consequently, to an economic crisis.

Ahmadinejad came under international criticism, primarily for his anti-Semitic remarks. During his presidency, Iran was internationally isolated because of its military threats against Israel and its denial of the Holocaust.

His supporters increasingly turned away from him, and even hardliners found him a controversial figure by the end of his term in office.

-- BERNAMA-DPA