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Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of the most powerful men in Iran, faces a growing campaign by the conservatives aimed at bringing him closer to their ranks in the political battle with the moderates which erupted after last June's presidential elections, experts in Iranian affairs said.

"The return of Rafsanjani to the conservative camp will have an impact on the general political, psychological and media status of the camp," prominent Iranian analyst Ameer Mousavi said.

But as long as Rafsanjani maintains his non-committal position, he represents a "tool [that might be used] against the conservatives," Mousavi explained to Gulf News.

The Iranian establishment has split over the Green Movement, two of its main pillars are the reformist candidates who lost the elections: Mir Hussain Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi.