由于穆罕默德·哈塔米 — — 这个自认改革主义者的政治家 — — 自1997年起连续当了8年伊朗总统，而哈塔米在任期内的作为，使得哈梅内伊坚信只有扶持一个像现任总统马哈茂德·艾哈迈迪-内贾德这种言听计从的原教旨主义者在位，他作为最高领袖的权威才能得以保全。
The presidency of Mohammad Khatami, an avowed reformer, who served eight years, beginning in 1997, convinced the Supreme Leader that his authority would be assured only if the presidency was held by a subservient fundamentalist such as the current president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.