Ahmadinejad and his close aides have faced criticism from MPs, the judiciary and some powerful clerics for saying parliament is no longer at the centre of affairs and promoting an “Iranian” rather than an “Islamic” school of thought.

In an article entitled: “Is parliament at the centre of affairs or not?”, the magazine, Payam-e Enghelab (Message of the Revolution), asked: “Does being on top justify whatever action the government thinks is right, disregarding the law?”