WASHINGTON, The United States: Armenian news PanARMENIAN.Net reported on Monday that NEWSru Israel quotes Al-Arabiya television channel as saying that Iranian leadership considers possibility of removing the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Former President of Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who is considered a politician with moderate views is a key figure in such situation. Rafsanjani simultaneously heads two influential bodies: Expediency Discernment Council, an intermediary body between Parliament and Guardian Council, and Assembly of Experts.

The latter is authorized to replace the country’s Supreme Religious Leader.

Al-Arabiya TV Channel’s Web site quotes a highly reputable source as saying that the Expert Assembly and Guardians Council have agreed on removing Khamenei from power. In the meantime, they have no intention to appoint a successor, at least for the time being. Instead, it is planned to establish a joint supreme government.

Khamenei’s removal will be inevitably followed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s resignation.

Rafsanjani has not made public statement after elections in which Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared as official winner.

In a conflict with the country’s President a day before elections, Rafsanjani accused him of corruption and demanded Khamenei’s intervention, but the latter was restricted by Ahmadinejad’s languid criticism.

Faeze Rafsanjani, the elder daughter of Expert Assembly’s Head, participates in demonstrations held by Mir Hossein’s co-thinkers.