Econintersect: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is fueding with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Who is going to win? Khamenei is not called Supreme Leader for no reason. To disagree with him is tantamount to disagreeing with God.
The disagreement came to a head in recent weeks when Khamenei reinstated intelligence minister Heydar Moslehi following his dismissal by Ahmadinejad. It was not clear that the president would accept the action of the Supreme Leader, but the Washington Post has reported that Moslehi was attending a cabinet meeting today (Sunday, May 8) that was also attended by Ahmadinejad. A previous cabinet meeting this week attended by Moslehi was not attended by Ahmadinejad. The latest developments occurred after Khamenei issued an ultimatum to Ahmadinejad: accept the Supreme Leader’s decision regarding the intelligence minister, or resign from office. A number of other conflicts remain. Several of Ahmadinejad’s close associates have been arrested, among them the prayer leader of the presidential complex and a man accused of sorcery. Associates are accused of invocation of supernatural powers and djinns (spirits). Also being criticized is Ahmadinejad’s chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, who is described as ‘the actual president of Iran’ by Khamenei’s allies. Mashaei is Ahmadinejad’s son-in-law. The two are shown in the photo below (from The Guardian).
Reuters reports that support for the removal of Ahmadinejad is quite widespread and growing. Impeachment is considered a possiblity by analysts according to Reuters.
Sources: Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Washington Post, Reuters and The Raw Story
Hat Tip: Naked Capitalism
