Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad AP PHOTO

The criticism came Feb. 26 as new signs have arisen that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is discontented with Ahmadinejad.

In late-February, Khamenei voiced criticism of the domestic performance of Ahmadinejad's government, and the president was absent when a group of Cabinet members and vice presidents met with Khamenei, who has the final word in all political affairs in Iran.

The increasing criticism reflects public worries about the course of the country's confrontation with the United States and the West. Washington has taken a more aggressive stance toward Iran, which has heightened fears among Iranians of possible U.S. attack.

The Japan Times Weekly: March 3, 2007
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