Middle East Focus: Ali Khamenei Losing some Allies in Iran…………..

Arabia Deserta

Ali Khamenei Losing some Allies in Iran…………..

Rattlesnake Ridge

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“Nourizad, who used to be a columnist for the ultra-hardline "Kayhan" daily which is said to reflect the views of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has now challenged Khamenei in open letters in which he has accused him of mistreating Iranians and isolating the country. Nourizad has recently called on religious and political figures to join his efforts and challenge the Iranian leader in "polite," but frank and open letters. The call has been answered by a number of Iranians inside and outside the country, including influential Iranian religious scholar Abdolkarim Soroush, who in a December 22 letter warned Khamenei that his rule would be over soon. Some observers believe the unprecedented campaign could deal a blow to Khamenei's stature as the ultimate authority in the country…………..”

Ali Khamenei is the "Supreme Leader" but not everybody toes the line. He still has to work hard to shore up his support among the senior Iranian clergy, some of whom are opposed to the concept of a theocracy. Many of them agree with the Ali Sistani of Najaf school that clerics should not be directly involved in politics. Some are opposed to his methods of leading. Some even support the demands of the Green Movement. Then there is Ahmadinejad and his allies, who evidently believe that the supreme cleric should be paid lip service to, but that elected officials should actually make policy. The there is the parliament that is now in control of his conservatives supporters, but that has not always been the case.
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