Iran prez denies rift with supreme leader

TEHRAN, July 31 (UPI) -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad compared his relationship to Iran's Supreme Leader to that of a father and son Friday.

Speaking to supporters in Mashad, the president attacked those who have suggested a rift with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, CNN reported. The president's speech was quoted by the Islamic Republic News Agency.

"They are ignorant of the fact that our relationship with the respected leader is far above the framework of politics and administration and is based on love and faith and resembles the relationship between father and son," Ahmadinejad said.

"The efforts of ill-wishers to insinuate such doubts is fruitless, and they will surely take such wishes to their graves. This road is blocked to the devils."

The president recently backed down when Khamenei effectively ordered him to remove Esfandyar Rahim Mashaie as deputy president. Mashaie, whose daughter is married to the president's son, had angered fundamentalist Muslims by suggesting Iran is friends with Israel and by watching women dance during a visit to Turkey.

During Friday prayers, Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of the Guardian Council, attacked Ahmadinejad for his ties to Mashaie.