Iran's president facing inside pressure?

TEHRAN, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The Iranian Parliament is allegedly considering its first impeachment measure despite apparent opposition from the country's ruling cleric, lawmakers said.

The Wall Street Journal cited unspecified "reports of challenges" to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's tenure.

The reports said some lawmakers think his Cabinet "must be held accountable" to Iranian lawmakers for a "lack of transparency" that is hurting the Islamic republic, the Journal claimed.

The Journal said Ahmadinejad is accused of importing gasoline and oil illegally and of taking money out of the country's foreign reserve funds without approval from Iranian lawmakers.

If lawmakers move ahead with the measure, the Journal reports, it would be the first time Iran has considered impeachment.

Ahmadinejad secured a second term in office following controversial 2009 elections in part because of clerical support.

He was challenged, however, when lawmakers refused to accept eight of his Cabinet nominees for his second administration.

Iranian law prohibits any action against the president unless it's backed by the country's supreme leader, the Journal notes.

Tehran, meanwhile, has tightened security as it moves to cut subsidies for fuel and other items presumably because of the economic pressure from Western-backed sanctions on Iran.