The Latest from Iran (1 May): The Supreme Leader Pins Economic Blame on Ahmadinejad

2025 GMT: Rafsanjani Watch. Former President Hashemi Rafsanjani has joined in the criticism of the Government over the economy, claiming it is increasing imports rather than supporting domestic production.

2015 GMT: Justice Watch. On Monday, we reported that Ali Akbar Heydarifar, a deputy to former Tehran Prosecutor General Saeed Mortazavi, was arrested over alleged involvement in the abuses at the Kahrizak detention centre in autumn 2009. Mortazavi, despite heated criticism from MPs and a file against him, has so far escaped prosecution and retains his post as a Presidential advisor.

A curious footnote from Radio Zamaneh:

Heydarifar, who reportedly signed the [Kahrizak] detainees’ transfer order, was involved in a recent altercation at a gas station in Esfahan.

He was reportedly trying to jump the line at the gas station when other customers complained. Media reports indicate that Heydarifard took out a gun and began shooting into the air. He was released after Security Forces called to scene checked his ID.

The Iran Prosecutor has announced that Heydarifar is also facing prosecution for the incident at the gas station.

2010 GMT: Elections Watch. Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, continuing his high-profile campaign not only for the elections but for a political status that may include becoming Speaker of Parliament, has told members of the Unity Front that the Iranian nation should take another "manly" step on Friday to send best candidates to the Majlis.

1820 GMT: President v. Parliament. Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani has hit back at President Ahmadinejad's declaration on Monday that he would not recognise Larijani's submissions because they were "illegal". Larijani said the messages from the legislature against the enacting of unconstitutional measures were in order: This is not an issue which necessitates a brawl in the country."

1810 GMT: Elections Watch. Fighting within the conservative/principlist establishment three days before the second round of Parliamentary elections....

The Unity Front is complaining about text-message campaigns against it, accusing the "deviant, corrupt, and seditionist groups".

In return, Bultan News swings at Alireza Zakani of the Unity Front, describing him as "someone who breaks bread with Hashemi [Rafsanjani]".

And Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi, leading the Constancy Front, continues to put out the general warning of the "deviant current", a term which in the past has been applied to President Ahmadinejad's advisors.

1349 GMT: Media Watch. The Minister of Culture has issued a defiant statement that Internet restrictions are a measure "to stop Western influence". He said no permit for a private TV outlet would be issued to any person or group. Moreover, journalists will now receive a work permit and will be rated according to professional experience.

1343 GMT: Politics Watch. Three days before the second round of Parliamentary elections, "maverick" MP Ali Motahari has put out a provocative statement. He said that Gholam Reza Haddad Adel --- leading vote-getter in the Tehran ballot and member of the Supreme Leader's inner circle --- is "not suited 4 any administrative position", such as Speaker of Parliament. Motahari also issued the un-subtle message to reformists that his Voice of the Nation faction was close to them over freedom of speech.

1337 GMT: Analogy of the Day. Aftab carries the story of an advisor to the South Korean President apologising to the public and surrendering to the judiciary after he was found guilty of bribery.

Why the website's sudden interest in South Korean matters? Could it have something to do with President Ahmadinejad's controversial advisors such as 1st Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi --- accused of involvement in a major insurance fraud --- or Chief of Staff Esfandiar Rahim-Mashai?

Aftab also lists 10 "scandalous" Ahmadinejad appointments from former Minister of Interior Ali Kordan, who resigned over his false claim of a doctorate from Oxford University, to Rahimi and Rahim-Mashai.

1112 GMT: CyberWatch. A week after a widespread attack on the computer infrastructure of Iran's oil industry, forcing the detachment of installations from the Internet, Fars reports that the intranet of the National Iranian Oil Company is still interrupted and the website of National Gas Company is out of reach.

1110 GMT: Currency Watch. Fars claims conflict over the handling of currency --- the website says 1st Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi asked banks to report on the amount of foreigh exchange sold, but the call was ignored.

0810 GMT: Economy Watch. Less than two days after the Government announced $24 billion to support the purchase of imports needed by Iranian producers, leading MP Gholam Reza Mesbahi Moghaddam has criticised the move as "a sign of Dutch disease", in which a country with wealth in resources has a weak production sector.

0806 GMT: Book Corner. More leading publishers are being banned from the Tehran International Book Fair --- the latest are Kavir and Omid-e Farda.

0805 GMT: Keep It in the Family. President Ahmadinejad has appointed the wife of Gholam Ali Haddad Adel --- member of the Supreme Leader's camp and possibly the next Speaker of Parliament --- as a member of the High Council of Education.

0755 GMT: The Battle Within. Baztab has a question for President Ahmadinejad, Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, and head of judiciary Sadegh Larijani: when the heads of the powers accuse each other of corruption, why people should trust them?

0735 GMT: Press Watch. The reformist weekly Nasim-e Bidari (Breeze of Awareness) has been removed from kiosks. No reason was given by authorities, but the cover of the issue had former President Mohammad Khatami with Nelson Mandela.

0645 GMT: In 2011, the Supreme Leader declared an Iranian "Year of Economic Jihad". This March, he announced the "Year of National Production".

There are two ways to back up this rhetoric: 1. Succeed; 2. If You Fail, Blame the Other Guy.

What is striking is how quickly Ayatollah Khamenei and his camp have jumped to Option 2. Last weekend, the Supreme Leader appeared to be setting up others in the establishment, whether because of general concerns or the anticipated outcome of the $2.6 billion bank fraud trial, with his declaration against "traitors and looters of national wealth". 

Ali Saeedi, the Supreme Leader's representative to the Revolutionary Guards, then set up the Other Guy as President Ahmadinejad. He said the "absence of Government" was a primary reason for the inflation that is leading to discontent, both in the political elite and among the population. His statement was echoed by the leading cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi --- a significant member of the Unity Front trying to become the dominant faction in the new Parliament --- who called on Ahmadinejad to consult economic experts to halt the rising prices.