Future reform now at stake

A victory in Iran’s presidential run-off by hardliner Mahmood Ahmadinejad would remove a moderating influence from within the regime and could put the Islamic republic on a collision course with the West, diplomats and analysts said Wednesday.

Seen as most at stake is Iran’s relatively pragmatic approach in diplomacy over its nuclear programme, which Iran maintains is for peaceful purposes but is seen by many as the cover for weapons development.