Khamenei prefers the young and the restless

When Rafsanjani finally announced that he would run for the president, many in Tehran knew he had just left a private meeting with Khamanei, the Supreme Leader. This, to many, was a sign that Khamaeni not only had supported Rafsanjani's bid, but also had endorsed him as his favorite candidate.

To me, however, it was a bit in conflict with what Khamenei had been saying for long, that the next president must be someone 'young and energetic' who can inject fresh blood to the executive parts of the regime. He one even went far to say that Rafsanjani was sitting next to him, a bit annoyed, during a speech for some influential clerics. Awkward.

Awkwardness: 70-years-old Rafsanjani on the left

At the same time it was pretty clear to me that Ali Larijani, a rather young (48 years of 7age), educated and innovative beaurocrat who had run the state TV and radio for a decade, was Khamenei's favorite. But Rafsanjani's announcement and some of the rumors I was hearing from Tehran were a bit puzzling.

But now I can again say that Khamenei still thinks the same way about Rafsanjani.

In his latest speech during a public meeting with young students, in addition to stressing on the necessity of a high turnout, Khamanei has again said that because the country is young, its government has also to be young.

From Iran Scan 1384