Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came under attack yesterday from the Supreme Leader’s deputy representative to the Revolutionary Guards. It is the latest sign of the dispute between the Iranian president and factions representing Ayatollah Khamenei.

Mojtaba Zolnour condemned Ahmadinejad’s relationship with his chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, saying it appears that Mashaei “is the actual president of Iran.”

ISNA quotes Zolnour at a meeting in Mashhad saying: “Mr. Ahmadinejad is holding on to the worn out rope of Mr. Mashaie and is especially close to him.”

Esfanidiar Rahim Mashaie, Ahmadinejad’s chief of staff, has often been the target of criticism by conservative members of the establishment. Ahmadinejad’s earlier attempts to make Mashaie his vice-president were overruled by the Supreme Leader. Conservative critics of the government have referred to Mashai as the “leader of a deviant movement in the government.”

Despite growing criticism of Mashaie, Ahmadinejad has refused to remove him from his government.

Zolnour said the disputes over the appointment and dismissal of cabinet ministers over the past year have all been fomented by Mashai. “However, these issues are of minor consideration in view of [Ahmadinejad’s] great service to the government, and the president is in line with the ideals of the regime,” he said. “We hope that God rids Mr. President of this individual.”

Most recently, Ahmadinejad accepted the resignation of his minister of intelligence, Heydar Moslehi, only to be overruled by the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Moslehi’s resignation was reportedly instigated by his dispute with Mashai. The reinstatement of the minister of intelligence has not been taken well by Ahmadinejad, who has avoided cabinet meetings ever since.

source: Radio Zamaneh

کلیدواژه ها: Ahmadinejad, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie, Khamenei |  Print | نشر مطلب