The ayatollah has publicly backed Mr. Ahmadinejad on several occasions, but his support for the government over the weekend was exceptional because of its detailed look at domestic issues and his categorical statements that he and the president were in ideological accord.
“The tone Mr. Khamenei used to support Mr. Ahmadinejad suggests that his intention was more than defending him against the attacks,” said Ahmad Zeidabadi, a political analyst in Tehran. “It appears that Mr. Ahmadinejad and Mr. Khamenei share the same views over major policies and ideological values, such as resisting the West and the nuclear policy.”
