TEHRAN – Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has come under unprecedented criticism from the Revolutionary Guards, the élite military force usually considered his staunch supporter.
A harshly worded article in the guards’ monthly magazine echoes criticism of Mr Ahmadinejad from other parts of the Iranian establishment and shows that attempts to heal rifts within the Islamic Republic’s ruling élite have yet to work.
Mr Ahmadinejad and his close aides have faced criticism from deputies, the judiciary and some powerful clerics for saying that parliament is no longer at the centre of affairs and promoting an “Iranian” rather than an “Islamic” school of thought.
In an article entitled “Is parliament at the centre of affairs or not?”, the magazine, Payam-e Enghelab (Message of the Revolution), asked: “Does being on top justify whatever action the government thinks is right, disregarding the law?”
Re-elected in June 2009, Mr Ahmadinejad faced down huge demonstrations from an opposition movement which claimed the vote was rigged. Divisions among the hardliners have become more apparent in the months since the protests were put down, through sometimes violent repression.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has its own navy, air force and command structure separate from the regular armed forces.
Along with its voluntary militia, the Basij, it played a key role in quelling the post-election unrest, which was the worst seen since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The rifts prompted supreme leader Ali Khamenei to call for all branches of government to support the president, whose government he has hailed as extremely successful.
“National unity is very important and must be strengthened with every passing day . . . and by that I am addressing both officials and ordinary people,” Mr Khamenei said during his recent visit to the holy city of Qom.
Indignation about Mr Ahmadinejad’s apparent disregard for parliament has pushed some former rivals within the legislature – in the hardliner “principlist” camp and more moderate “reformists” – closer together.
Iranians are also bracing themselves for the impact of Mr Ahmadinejad’s cornerstone economic plan – slashing billions of dollars of subsidies for essentials like food and fuel – which could reignite unrest. – (Reuters)