Political struggles in Iran

News coming from Iran these days is very interesting, but disturbing too. The stunning victory of reformist President Mohammad Khatami in 1997 had alarmed the conservative elements within the regime of the Islamic republic. Following this year's municipal elections, in which reformers also made gains, the conservatives started a counter-movement aimed at weakening Khatami and his camp.

In many ways the news of the struggle between reformers and the hardliners is an indication that the Iranian people are not very happy with the status quo in their country. Iran, one of the largest producers of oil and other commodities, the country with the second largest gas reserves in the world, deserves to be in better shape, politically, economically and socially.

Iran is an important country both in the region and within the Muslim World. It could, once its internal affairs are sorted out, contribute to the region's security and prosperity.

-- The Jordan Times, Amman