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.
A top official in the Afghan interim administration confirms that Iranian President Mohammed Khatami is expected to arrive in Kabul for talks prior to the convocation of the Loya Jirga, the grand tribal council that aims to establish Afghanistan's future course.
Following President Heidar Aliyev's recent visit to Tehran, Azerbaijani leaders say they are optimistic about the future of Azerbaijani-Iranian relations and Caspian Basin energy development prospects. Yet, US officials remain unconvinced that Iran is committed to resolving territorial disputes that have clouded the region's economic and political climate.
Meanwhile, coalition military action in Afghanistan continues. US warplanes attacked a group of people who appeared to be preparing a mortar position near the Pakistani border on May 22, the Associated Press reported. And in a sign that combat operations in Afghanistan are not expected to end soon, US General Tommy R.
Iran isolated itself from US allies in Central Asia at a summit in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on April 23 when it pressed for a 20 percent share in Caspian natural resources. The next day, Iranian President Mohammed Khatami began working to cement ties to these allies, starting a Central Asian tour in Kazakhstan. He kicked off his tour with provocative words about the United States.
