"I think it is not possible to run the country worse than this," Jaheshnews.Ir quoted him as saying late Wednesday in reaction to his Tuesday disqualification by the hard-line Guardian Council.
Rafsanjani has not made any direct public statements since the decision. The quote was not carried on his official website, and the report could not independently verified.
Rafsanjani, a centrist, had revitalised reformist hopes. His campaign manager says he will not protest the disqualification.