Iran's Supreme Leader opposes delaying this month's parliamentary election despite government objections that the vote will be unfair because of the exclusion of hundreds of aspiring candidates, reformist legislators said.
The lawmakers, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said talks to resolve the Islamic Republic's worst political crisis for years were deadlocked. Some voiced fears that the military could be called on to stage the vote.
One lawmaker said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last word on all state matters, "wants the election to be carried out as planned".
President Mohammad Khatami's pro-reform government has called for the February 20 election to be delayed, arguing the disqualification of more than 2,000 reformist candidates by the hardline Guardian Council meant the vote would lack legitimacy.
"Khamenei insists that there shouldn't be any delay in the election, but Khatami is against that," another deputy said.
The lawmakers said news of Mr Khamenei's opposition to a vote delay had emerged from a crisis meeting of top officials, including Mr Khatami and Mr Khamenei, today.
Analysts say Mr Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989 as head of the Islamic state, is the last hope of resolving the bitter election row.
His unparalleled powers, which far outrank those of Mr Khatami, mean he could force the Guardian Council, an unelected body dominated by religious hardliners, to rescind the bans.
But the lawmakers, around 70 of whom met with Mr Khatami today, said talks had not gone well. "They haven't reached any result and each party is just repeating its stance," one said.