Mixed signals sent out because of a single kiss between men of power
Mr Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Khamenei performed a clumsy minuet that left Iranian analysts scratching their heads in confusion
Was it an embrace or a rebuff, a manifestation of President Ahmadinejad's unqualified love and loyalty towards his Supreme Leader, or a sign of their falling out?
At the same ceremony four years ago Mr Ahmadinejad’s gesture towards Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — the man whose patronage had elevated him from virtual obscurity— was unequivocal: he took the Supreme Leader’s hand and humbly kissed it. Now, the two men performed a clumsy minuet that left Iranian analysts scratching their heads in confusion.
Footage broadcast on state television shows the Supreme Leader and the President standing up. Ayatollah Khamenei passes Mr Ahmadinejad a letter confirming his election to a second term. The two men advance towards each other, smiling. The Supreme Leader's hand is held out towards Mr Ahmadinejad but it is unclear if he withdraws it or the President ignores it. Mr Ahmadinejad ends up kissing Mr Khamenei’s robe somewhere near his left shoulder.
Last week Mr Ahmadinejad defied his patron and enraged hardliners by appointing his son’s father-in-law to be his deputy. He was then forced to reverse the appointment, but still made his relative his chief-of-staff instead.
This body language may have been a sign of the Supreme Leader’s displeasure, or an effort to distance himself from the deeply controversial and unpopular President.
Though he praised Mr Ahmadinejad as “courageous, astute and hard-working” he also advised him to listen to his critics.