Khatami's Conditions

Former President Muhammad Khatami has revealed two preconditions for him to enter the 2009 race:

"On October 4, Khatami finally announced two preconditions for running as a candidate in next June's presidential election. He said 'reaching a compromise with the Iranian nation for their requests' and 'receiving assurance for the implementation of his plans' are his two conditions.

"In other words, Khatami wants expanded executive powers, knowing full well that the current conditions prevent the president from implementing his reforms. During his two-term presidency from 1997 to 2005, many of Khatami's proposed reforms were blocked due to his restricted powers and opposition from conservatives."

The only way the second condition gets fulfilled is if the "compromise with the Iranian nation for their requests" is not as sweeping as the agenda Khatami ran on in 1997.