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Iranian cleric attacks president Iranian cleric attacks president
(40 minutes later)
Senior Iranian dissident cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, has attacked President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over nuclear issues and the economy.Senior Iranian dissident cleric, Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, has attacked President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over nuclear issues and the economy.
The bold remarks came in a written statement by the 85-year-old, who was once in line to succeed Ruhollah Khomeini as supreme leader.The bold remarks came in a written statement by the 85-year-old, who was once in line to succeed Ruhollah Khomeini as supreme leader.
But he spent years under house arrest after falling out with Khomeini. He spent years under house arrest after falling out with Ayatollah Khomeini.
He said nuclear energy was Iran's right, but questioned the way President Ahmadinejad had pursued it.He said nuclear energy was Iran's right, but questioned the way President Ahmadinejad had pursued it.
Using harsh and provocative language would provoke the enemy, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri said. Instead there should be negotiations.Using harsh and provocative language would provoke the enemy, Grand Ayatollah Montazeri said. Instead there should be negotiations.
Scathing attackScathing attack
The grand ayatollah complained that people kept on shouting slogans about nuclear rights, but he asked: "Don't we have other rights too?"The grand ayatollah complained that people kept on shouting slogans about nuclear rights, but he asked: "Don't we have other rights too?"
It was a pointed reference to concerns about diminishing freedom of speech in Iran under Mr Ahmadinejad.It was a pointed reference to concerns about diminishing freedom of speech in Iran under Mr Ahmadinejad.
Grand Ayatollah Montazeri also launched a scathing attack on the president's handling of the economy.Grand Ayatollah Montazeri also launched a scathing attack on the president's handling of the economy.
He said some gentlemen claimed inflation was only 13% in Iran, but everyone knew the cost of housing had risen more than 50%.He said some gentlemen claimed inflation was only 13% in Iran, but everyone knew the cost of housing had risen more than 50%.
He asked why the government went on useless trips and spent money on others abroad, seemingly a reference to President Ahmadinejad's recent tour of Latin America and Iranian aid to Palestinian groups like Hamas.He asked why the government went on useless trips and spent money on others abroad, seemingly a reference to President Ahmadinejad's recent tour of Latin America and Iranian aid to Palestinian groups like Hamas.