(6 May 2011) SHOTLIST
++AP Television is adhering to Iranian law that stipulates all media are banned from providing BBC Persian or VOA Persian any coverage from Iran, and under this law if any media violate this ban the Iranian authorities can immediately shut down that organisation in Tehran.++
1. Wide of Kazem Sedighi, Conservative Cleric and Prayer Leader approaching lectern
2. Wide of worshippers chanting slogan UPSOUND: (Farsi) "Death to opponents of the Supreme Leader"
3. Cutaway of cameraman filming prayers
4. SOUNDBITE: (Farsi) Kazem Sedighi, Conservative Cleric and Prayer Leader:
"Our great leader not only has full authority under the constitution, which in article four gives him absolute power, but also he is the religious leader of (m) millions of Muslims both inside and outside the country."
5. Wide of worshipers chanting, UPSOUND: (Farsi) "The blood of our veins is a gift to our leader."
6. SOUNDBITE: (Farsi) Kazem Sedighi, Conservative Cleric and Prayer Leader:
"I am sure our government, president and nation are aware of this issue (Supreme Leader's complete authority) and will pay the highest attention to it."
7. Wide of worshippers walking down street after prayers
8. Close-up of feet of worshippers
9. SOUNDBITE: (Farsi) Madadkar (no last name given), Tehran resident:
"There might be some difference of opinion between some people and this is natural, but the important thing is that there is no difference of opinion between the Supreme Leader and the President."
10. Wide exterior of Tehran university
STORYLINE
A conservative Iranian cleric leading Friday prayers in Tehran warned that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei holds full authority in the country and everyone must respect his "absolute power."
In the political section of his sermon, Kazem Sedighi warned the government that Khamenei has complete power under the constitution and has (m) millions of supporters both inside and outside the country.
"I am sure our government, president and nation are aware of this issue and will pay the highest attention to it," he said.
His comments were in reaction to the recent confrontations between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Khamenei.
Tensions flared between the two after the president's dismissal last month of the country's most powerful intelligence chief, Heidar Moslehi.
Khamenei quickly reinstated Moslehi in a slap to Ahmadinejad.
The tension was exacerbated when Ahmadinejad stayed away from Cabinet meetings for more than a week, before attending a meeting on Sunday.
Most worshippers were tight-lipped about the issue after Friday prayers.
One man said it was natural for differences of opinion to exist between government aides, but "the important thing is that there is no difference of opinion between the Supreme Leader and President."
Khamenei has been a strong supporter of the president, but their relationship could be fraying because of Ahmadinejad's repeated attempts to push the limits of his powers.
Khamenei made a rare public rebuke to Ahmadinejad, saying he will not hesitate to intervene in government affairs whenever necessary.
Khamenei also made clear he would defend his powers, including to name ministers.
A serious fall from Khamenei's favour would leave Ahmadinejad's clout seriously diminished and test the loyalty of his main supporters, including the Revolutionary Guard, who will have a central role in picking the candidates for his successor in 2013.
Any split between Khamenei and Ahmadinejad could also destabilise Iran at a time of tension with the West over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.

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