re: #78 mystry

The up until now, the power of the Islamic Republic has been held by the Council of Guardians. This unelected body is composed of senior mullahs, religious scholars. The Supreme Leader is chosen by the Council from among their members. Ayatollah Khamenei is the current Supreme Ruler. The Guardians make all important appointments, approve lists of candidates standing for elections and set gov’t policy. The elected parliament and the President have relatively little power.

But… the mullahs have been growing old and corrupt. They are more interested in wealth and power than in looking after the country. In 2005 a reformer ran for election as President. He was formerly the mayor of Tehran and had a solid base among the shopkeepers and merchants in the cities & the peasants in the countryside. He had a reputation for fighting corruption and for deep religious piety. He had the support of the fanatically religious faction of mullahs but was opposed by the conservative/corrupt faction. He won the election (also said to have been rigged). This was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad was also a former officer of the IRGC. Over the past 4 years, Ahmadinejad has placed IRGC commanders in key positions in the government. Now they are ready to move against the last vestiges of the old mullahs. Khamenei supported Ahmadinejad in order to hold onto power. He miscalculated. He may stay in office, but his power will be gone. From now on the real power will be in the hands of the President Ahmadinejad and the senior commanders of the IRGC.

Unless the people can prevail…