Ayatollah Khamenei Criticizes President Rouhani as Election Nears

With less than three weeks to go before national elections, President Hassan Rouhani, who is running for re-election, was the target of a barrage of criticism from none other than the Supreme Ruler, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Ayatollah apparently is not in agreement with Rouhani’s approach, which is seen by Western leaders as being moderate and unlike his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was viewed as a bully and buffoon. What upset the Ayatollah was Rouhani’s claim that under his leadership the threat of war with the West has subsided. Opponents for the presidency who are seen as being close to the Ayatollah are critics of the nuclear development deal Rouhani negotiated with five Western nations including the United States. Rouhani is also coming under scathing criticism for his economic policies.