Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hasfallen ill due to his heavy workload, a close associate told the Iranian state news agency late Saturday, as doubts surface about whether he will run for another term.
Parliament member Mohammad Ismail Kowsari, an ally of the president, told IRNA that Ahmadinejad is feeling under the weather because of the strain of his position.
"The president will eventually get well and continue his job," said Kowsari, who last September accompanied the president on his trip to the UN General Assembly. "Every human being can face exhaustion under such a workload."
The Iranian president reportedly works a 20-hour day. Kowsari accused his opponents of using Ahmadinejad's exhaustion as an excuse to spread rumors about whether he will run for a second term in the June 2009 elections.
Exhausted president makes appearance on Saturday (Photo: AP)
"Those who use such a natural issue for psychological warfare will fail" to gain support in public opinion, he said.
In the past weeks, supporters of Ahmadinejad have been discussing potential candidates for the next presidential election, implying that the sitting president is not their automatic choice.
All previous Iranian presidents completed both their terms, except the first one, Abolhasan Banisadr, who fled the country in 1981.
Ahmadinejad at religious ceremony on Saturday (photo: AP)
The months ahead are critical for Ahmadinejad to try to rebuild his political base and rebut critics pointing to his unfulfilled campaign promises, including extending the wealth of Iran 'soil revenue to poorer provinces around the country.
With over 10% unemployment and 30% inflation, Iran has been unable to bask in record-high oil prices - which are just barely covering domestic subsidies.
Ahmadinejad is also confronting questions about his uncompromising stance with the West over Iran's nuclear program, which has severely soured international relations.