The announcement drew criticism from some hardliners in Iran's clerical regime.

In some monarchies and clerical regimes, there is a shura with an advisory or consultative role.

In the wake of the Arab uprisings the clerical regime is seeking to project an image of its power and popularity.

The clerical regime was perhaps foundering.

Seven of his closest colleagues were assassinated in Europe and in the Middle East by the agents of the clerical regime.

Since then, it has conducted terrorist attacks against the interests of the clerical regime in Iran and abroad.

What's fascinating," Aslan said, "is that the same artistic heritage is now being used against the clerical regime.

Even Fateneh, a dispossessed aristocrat and an enemy of the clerical regime, says the war will only stop if the big powers decide to stop it.

In the movement's 23-year struggle against the clerical regime, thousands of its members and sympathizers have been executed or imprisoned and tortured.

She publicly opposed Iran's clerical regime and Mohammad Khatami, the former president of Iran.