Some conservative clerics have called for Facebook to be banned because it causes gender mingling.

Until the power struggle between reformers and conservative clerics is fully resolved, only limited reconciliation may be possible.

That attitude is largely supported even by conservative clerics who say Iran has to confront the disease.

But powerful conservative clerics have proved tough when it comes to women's issues.

A plan to start teaching English in elementary schools this year was put off in what some interpreted as a bow to the conservative clerics.

Only contenders chosen by a council of conservative clerics can run.

More conservative clerics might also go their own way.

I am in no doubt that what we are seeing at the moment is an attempt by the conservative clerics to distort the electoral process.

The forces are part of the large security apparatus controlled by the conservative clerics who run Iran.

The conservative clerics have also all but obliterated modern Iranian literature and the arts.