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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei advised former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to stay out of next year’s presidential elections, saying his participation would “polarize” the country, Bloomberg reported.

“I didn’t tell him don’t run, I said it’s not in your own or the country’s best interests to run,” Khamenei said, according to an audio file of his speech uploaded to the website of the semi-official Fars news agency, the source detailed.

The statement confirms months of media speculation that Ahmadinejad wanted to run but might not win official backing. It also leaves open the question of who hardline factions will support. Incumbent Hassan Rouhani, whose first term has been defined by last year’s nuclear accord with world powers and subsequent easing of crippling economic sanctions, is expected to contest a second term.
The vote is likely to take place in May, ahead of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, according to Iran’s Interior Ministry which is expected to officially announce the date in November.