…Larijani’s ouster revealed the shocking fact that Khamenei is not an untouchable power in Iran. …At the time, Ahmadinejad was still the Sepah’s man. During the recent public muscle-flexing between Ahmadinejad and Khamenei over the Mashai issue, Ahmadinejad was again counting on the support of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)….But this time, although in a friendly tone, the IRGC confronted Ahmadinejad…The IRGC needs the Supreme Leader – not as a person but as an institution – just as much as the Supreme Leader needs the IRGC. Both count the other to legitimize and maintain their authority. The relationship between the two institutions is organic; its vulnerability lies in the fact that their authority binds them together. .When it comes to publicly challenging the sovereignty of the Supreme Leader, the IRGC will take Khamenei’s side with no hesitation. Ahmadinejad, although extremely valuable to the IRGC, has an expiration date. As long as the Islamic Republic is the ruling order, the Supreme Leadership will retain its relevance, importance and power. Still, one should never lose sight of the fact that the IRGC could be playing a double game. The upcoming vote of confidence over Ahmadinejad’s new cabinet will determine where Iran’s center of gravity lies for the next four years.
