Iran's top negotiator resigns.

Here is what the Iranian pundits say about Iran's next step in European negotiations

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In spite of resignation, Larijani will attend the upcoming talks in Rome.

Apparently Larijani and Ahmadinejad clashed after Putin's visit. Ahmadinejad was not pleased with Larijani's public declaration that "we will consider Putin's proposal"--which we heard the Supreme leader say himself to Putin: "we will think about it", he said througha translator!

However, Ahmadinejad has been maintaining that Iran's nuclear dossier is closed; and that there is no need for any negotiations beyond the commitment to IAEA. By clashing with Larijani, Ahmadinejad has tried to show presidential autonomy from the (un-elected) supreme leader!

Now you may find this funny, but Ahmadinejad is challenging the "foundation" of dictatorship in Iran! But, the supreme "dictator" is behaving milder and more reasonably than the "democratically elected" president! To be frank, i have been wishing for the "dictating" establishment in Iran to slap Ahmadinejad a little bit. This is an undemocratic wish, of course. But, if I have to choose between democracy and getting even ONE road in Iran bombed, I will choose dictatorship! (Isn't this consistent with the view advocated by Dick Cheney? So one needs to ask: is the US trying to make sure democracy will not be established in the middle east?!)

This is a clear clash between the supreme leader, Khamenei, and Amadinejad at this point! And the third axis of this group of conservative, Hashemi (perhaps the closest Iranian official to Ameircan administration!), has re-iterated just now that "Americans should learn from history. If Iran was interested in developing weapons of mass destruction, it would have retaliated against Saddam's chemical bombing of Iran."


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I am scrambling through Iranian news!

This seems to be a "trigger" to undermine Ahmadinejad officially. Apparently Ahmadinejad was not happy about Larijani's statement about "we are studying Putin's proposal" and wanted to say he's the one who is calling the shots!

Tomorrow, the parliament will begin investigating the reasons for Larijani's resignation. Already, a few Ahmadinejad opponents have expressed "regrets" and have stated their opposition to Ahmadinejad's confrontational attitude.

I suspect an impeachment is awaiting Ahmadinejad.

Borzu Dargahi, reports for LA times.

Contextualization:
Larijani's official objective for resignation is to pursue a different career in politics. The government's spokesman indicated that Larijani may still appear in the talks with Solana.

Will be back with more.