Ahmadinejad believes it would be politically costly for the council to reject both members of the previous government.
Associated Press journalists watched as stunned election officials processed Ahmadinejad's paperwork Wednesday.
Ahmadinejad said his decision to run was meant to help former Vice President Hamid Baghaei, a close ally who registered alongside him.
Mr Ahmadinejad turned up at the Interior Ministry on Wednesday, the second day of registration for hopeful candidates, flashing a V for victory sign.
Ahmadinejad previously said he wasn't going to run after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei advised him not to, saying he would instead support his former deputy Hamid Baghaei who also registered on Wednesday.
"Essentially, they feel that if the government tells them Israel is awful, the truth must be that Israel is actually pretty good", she says.
Westbrook breaks triple-double record, hits winning shot
Both Westbrook and Harden have great MVP cases this season and it appears Morey is heavily backing his guy in the MVP race. In the five games that he played during April 2-9, Westbrook posted three triple-doubles, with his team going 3-2 overall.
Reactions of worry were quick to spread, as Raisi is an influential cleric with a close relationship with Khamenei. While Khamenei has final say on state matters, Ahmadinejad's relationship with him was strained by the end of his time in power. Baqaee also registered his name for the Presidency.
Ahmadinejad's two terms as president between 2005 and 2013 saw Iran increasingly isolated internationally, divided domestically and struggling economically, and his contested re-election in 2009 triggered the largest protests since the 1979 Islamic revolution. The landmark deal gave Iran relief from worldwide sanctions in exchange for greater restrictions on its nuclear energy initiatives.
Despite being credited for the massive damage caused to Iranian economy over the past decade, Ahmadinejad remains a heroic figure among the economically poorer sections of the society, owing to his staunch patriatic image, populist approach and humble roots.
Under Iran's electoral system all potential presidential candidates must be vetted by a clerical body before they are allowed to run for office.
Iran's interior ministry, which administers elections in the country, opened the registration for the candidates on Tuesday, and since about 150 people have come forward, including several women. All candidacies need to be approved by the powerful Guardian Council, which checks all applicants. U.S. President Donald Trump, a staunch critic of the nuclear deal, could move to dismantle it, particularly if a hard-liner like Ahmadinejad is elected.
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