But Iran’s supreme leader cautioned the controversial, anti-West president to keep inflation in check. More:

“‘Do not think that this year is your last year as head of the government. No. Act as if you will stay in charge for five years,’ he told members of the government on Saturday, the official IRNA news agency reported.


‘Imagine that this year, plus the four that follow, you will be in charge, and plan and act accordingly,’ he said.


It is the first time Khamenei, who has the final say on all the country’s affairs, has made such a statement of support for Ahmadinejad and is likely to put off potential challengers in 2009 presidential elections.


In an apparent comparison with the reformist presidency of Mohammad Khatami, he also praised Ahmadinejad’s government for ‘blocking dangerous trends of Western intoxication and secularism which were infiltrating the country’s administration.’


However, he warned Ahmadinejad against economic policies which would further fuel inflation.”

The day of the last elections — parliamentary ones — my Iranian sources were sending me photos of deserted polling stations, and I kept receiving stories of Revolutionary Guard members rounding up Iranians to make them go vote (for the ruling party, of course). I’d say that whatever Khamenei wants, he’ll get. It’s also important for Iran-watchers to remember that “supreme leader” means just that: the unelected Khamenei controls Ahmadinejad.

(Majid/Getty Images)