Iranian Newspaper Blasts Ahmadinejad

In what may be a sign of turning tides within Iran, a powerful paper inTehran, The Islamic Republic, published an editorial Wednesday slamming President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s treatment of his political opponents — an auspicious critique, considering the paper’s close ties with Ayatollah Khamenei.

BBC:

It was referring to a recent speech by Mr Ahmadinejad when he described people opposed to his nuclear programme as traitors and accused some senior former nuclear negotiators of spying for foreigners.

The paper said Mr Ahmadinejad was using this tactic to discredit his political rivals prior to the parliamentary elections due early next year.

It called on Iran’s judiciary to perform its duty and punish people who make baseless allegations and cause public anxiety.

Such a direct personal attack against President Ahmadinejad is indeed rare in official media in Iran.

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