system
Context: (CNN) -- Iran's vital oil industry appears to be the latest front in a power struggle between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei -- a fight that overseas analysts say the colorful president appears to be losing. 

Ahmadinejad is trying to retain control of Iran's Oil Ministry despite a ruling by the country's top judicial body that he can't serve as its acting chief. It's the latest in a series of unusually public squabbles between Ahmadinejad and allies of Khamenei, the Islamic republic's clerical leader, in recent weeks. 

Khamenei backed Ahmadinejad through the tumult that followed his hotly disputed 2009 re-election, urging Iranians to accept the results of the balloting when protesters in the streets declared it a fraud. He presided over a crackdown on the demonstrations, during which security forces were unleashed on crowds and activists were prosecuted and jailed. 

But elements throughout the government have moved to check Ahmadinejad's efforts to replace top officials and have gone after the president's closest advisers, U.S. analyst Alireza Nader told CNN. 

"I think it's a symptom of the general dissatisfaction with President Ahmadinejad that his powers and movement are being curtailed by the various power centers in Iran," said Nader, an expert on Iranian politics at the RAND Corp., an American think tank. 

The outspoken Ahmadinejad has long been a lightning rod for Iran's critics. But Haleh Esfandiari, director of Middle Eastern studies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center, said he may be left a "lame duck" after butting heads with Khamenei. 
human
Where does Nader work?
gpt
RAND Corp
human
What is his title?
gpt
U.S. analyst
human
Does he believe the people are satisfied with President Ahmadinejad?
gpt
no
human
What is President Ahmadinejad doing?
gpt
trying to retain control of Iran's Oil Ministry
human
Why shouldn't he be doing that?
gpt
a ruling by the country's top judicial body
human
Stating what?
gpt
he can't serve as its acting chief
human
Why not?
gpt
unknown
human
Who is he in a power struggle with?
gpt
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei
human
Is he winning?
gpt
yes
human
Has this been a private battle?
gpt
no
human
Who is Khamenei?
gpt
Supreme Leader
human
What does Haleh Esfandiari think about the situation?
gpt
Ahmadinejad may be left a "lame duck"
human
What does Haleh Esfandiari do?
gpt
director of Middle Eastern studies
human
Where?
gpt
Woodrow Wilson International Center
human
When did Khamenei back Ahmadinejad?
gpt
through the tumult following the 2009 re-election
human
Howso?
gpt
urged Iranians to accept the results
human
How else did he help?
gpt
presided over a crackdown on protests
human
Was anyone jailed?
gpt
yes
human
Who?
gpt
activists