Tehran - Reformist Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is unsure about running for a second term in June, one of his closest political allies said yesterday. Parliamentary speaker Mr Mehdi Karubi said the President was "hesitant to stand again, although I am sure we will be able to convince him", IRNA news agency reported.
Mr Khatami has gone public in recent weeks with frustration at his limited constitutional powers, after encountering fierce opposition to his reform programme from conservative rivals. The courts closed down more than 25 mostly pro-reform newspapers and journals last year. Meanwhile, five explosions were heard in a Tehran park yesterday but there were no reports of casualties.