Ahmadinejad Rivals Cement Lead in Iran Parliament Conservative rivals of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cemented their control on parliament as the count from last week's voting moved into the final stages. Ahmadinejad's political opponents clearly had the upper hand Sunday with more than two-thirds of the seats decided in the 290-member parliament. The full tallies are not expected until Tuesday. The election Friday highlighted Ahmadinejad's political tumble after attempts to challenge the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to make all key policy decisions, though their views are similar. Parliament has no direct sway over critical issues such as Iran's nuclear program, but control by Khamenei loyalists gives the leadership a more united front in the escalating showdowns with the West.