Ahmadinejad: 'We are going to Latin America'; Media: His passport was confiscated and trip canceled

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presence at Tehran's international airport for a trip to Guatemala to attend a conference became a news story after his passport was confiscated. Images released show Ahmadinejad at the airport on Thursday, speaking with a number of people and taking photos. The former president of the Islamic Republic stated, 'We are going to Latin America,' to which a citizen responded, 'Good for you!' Following this, media outlets close to Ahmadinejad reported that his passport had been taken and he was prevented from leaving Iran for Guatemala, yet he remained at the airport. The Telegram channel 'Dolat Bahar,' close to Ahmadinejad, reported that 'agents of the Revolutionary Guard' at Tehran's 'Imam Khomeini' airport prevented his travel by confiscating his passport and claiming he was banned from leaving the country. According to this report, Ahmadinejad intended to travel to Guatemala at the 'official invitation of the government and university of Guatemala' to participate in a 'scientific and research symposium' on 'integrated water resource management in the world,' but this trip has now been 'postponed,' and he 'remains at the airport.' This media outlet close to Ahmadinejad further reported that 'the strange behavior of the Revolutionary Guard agents persists,' stating that 'the passport has not been returned and the exit ban' has not been lifted. Meanwhile, the Telegram channel 'Saberin News,' close to the Revolutionary Guard, cited an 'informed source' stating that 'given the fragile political situation in Guatemala' and 'reports of potential security conditions in the country,' Ahmadinejad's trip 'as a member of the Expediency Discernment Council' was canceled, and he was 'advised not to go on this trip due to international sanctions and the likelihood of arrest.' The media close to the Revolutionary Guard noted that the Islamic Republic has no embassy in Guatemala and claimed that there is a 'very high level of crime' in that country, alleging that 'reports' have been published regarding 'high Israeli influence' there. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is one of the officials of the Islamic Republic who has been sanctioned by the United States government. In previous days, Houshang Amir Ahmadi, president of the 'Council of Americans and Iranians,' told Voice of America that Ahmadinejad is 'a friend of America' and the government should not have sanctioned him.