Iran's supreme leader defends Ahmadinejad against growing criticism

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iran's supreme leader defended President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday against growing criticism. During Friday prayers, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced politicians who have been critical of Ahmadinejad. Both conservatives and reformists have stepped up their criticism of Ahmadinejad in recent months, accusing him of doing more harm than good in his three years in office. Ahmadinejad has also come under increasing pressure lately because he is refusing to dismiss Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, who said Iranians were friends with Israelis. Iranian lawmakers have been collecting signatures over the past week to question Ahmadinejad over Mashi's controversial comments.