With President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad throwing his hat into the ring, next June’s presidential election in Iran begins in earnest. Some had hoped, and others feared, that Ahmadinejad would be “persuaded” to foreswear a second term. One scenario had the “Supreme Guide” Ali Khamenehi inviting Ahmadinejad for a private audience to tell him to step aside to open the door for a “grand bargain” with the American “Great Satan.” Another scenario had Ahmadinejad dropping out after receiving a message from military commanders that they no longer supported him. No such scenario looks likely
