The Perfect Handshake with Iran. Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 2010

The iranian elite do nor share a common view on engagement with the international community or the United States. Indeed, one of the Islamic Republic’s abiding features has been disagreement about the country’s direction and political ground rules. That said, until the June 2009 election, the Office of the Supreme Leader had handled these divisions relatively well, often by manipulating the electoral system or creating new political structures. But the circles around Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have gradually been depopulated as he pushes away those he does not completely trust. Consequently, radicals have filled his shrinking inner circle, exacerbating his isolation and further eroding his legitimacy.