Thursday, July 23, 2009

ANALYSIS-Iran's hardline leaders failing to stem discontent

Reuters, By Alistair Lyon, Special Correspondent (21/7/2009) * Iran's post-election power struggle persists * Turmoil dims prospects for nuclear dialogue with West * Rafsanjani sermon emboldens opposition * Khamenei faces unprecedented challenge to authority "I fear Ahmadinejad's presence serves as an insurmountable obstacle to confidence-building with the United States," Carnegie's Sadjadpour said of the prospects for engagement. "It's going to be impossible for Tehran to reassure us that its nuclear ambitions are purely peaceful as long as Ahmadinejad remains so outspokenly belligerent towards Israel." (Editing by Jon Hemming) Click here for full story