But he surprised many recently by not only complaining about his lack of power but also announcing how he plans to remedy it.
The president, speaking at a press conference in Tehran, said he will soon propose legislation to the parliament that would give him greater abilities to reform the system as he was elected to do:
As hopes for rapprochement with the United States fade, Iran is pursuing several diplomatic initiatives designed to prevent Tehran's strategic isolation. Iranian leaders have reached out to Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Bahrain in recent days and weeks, aiming to heal rifts and thwart what they perceive as a US encirclement effort.
Although the ongoing Russian naval exercises in the Caspian Sea are widely viewed in Iran as an unwelcome development, Iranian officials have largely refrained from saying anything that might antagonize Moscow. Iranian analysts say the Islamic government is anxious to maintain the existing equilibrium in relations with Russia, especially in the sphere of nuclear cooperation.
Now, however, hard-liners appear to be increasingly expanding their crackdown to target reformist politicians, as well, a development that could seriously exacerbate tensions between the two sides.
Now, however, hard-liners appear to be increasingly expanding their crackdown to target reformist politicians, as well, a development that could seriously exacerbate tensions between the two sides.
On July 19, the Islamic Participation Front, the principal group aligned with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's reform movement, concluded its third convention amid great uncertainty about the future of reforms in Iran. The meeting in Tehran drew 238 prominent reformists, making the event as intriguing for political observers as it is crucial for the future of Iranian democracy.
Ayatollah Jalaledin Taheri is among the few clerics who has retained popular support. As a member of the powerful Assembly of the Experts, he frequently denounced extremism and corruption, and, unlike many of his peers, he refrained from involvement in lucrative financial dealings. Taheri also happens to be a staunch supporter of Iran's embattled President Mohammad Khatami.
EurasiaNet: The Loya Jirga has just ended. What do you think about its results, both positive and negative? Khan: First of all, we have had a major accomplishment in Kabul: we were able to choose a new head of the state without a protracted and damaging conflict. This is a welcome development. The next thing that was done was to choose a cabinet.
After several failed attempts to resolve territorial issues with its Caspian neighbors, Iran appears poised to begin developing unilaterally its energy resources in its portion of the sea. While Tehran does not seem intent on trying to develop resources in disputed areas, the announcement is sure to raise regional tension.
