Iranian military elite voices criticism of Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has come under unprecedented criticism from the Revolutionary Guards, the elite military force usually considered his staunch supporter.
A harshly worded article in the Guards' monthly magazine echoes criticism of Ahmadinejad from other parts of the Iranian establishment and shows attempts to mend rifts within the Islamic republic's ruling elite have yet to work.

Ahmadinejad and his close aides have faced criticism from MPs, the judiciary and some powerful clerics for saying 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, Ahmadinejad faced down huge demonstrations from an opposition movement which says the vote was rigged, something he denies. Divisions among the hardliners have become more apparent in the months since the protests were put down.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has a navy, an air force and a 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," Khamenei said.

However, Payam-e Enghelab's criticisms were similar to those voiced by parliament, the judiciary and clerics.

"Dealing with marginal and unnecessary issues by some politicians has become the country's main issue," the magazine said, referring to the controversy about the "Iranian" school of thought which many of Ahmadinejad's fellow conservatives say smacks of secular nationalism.