Interviewed by the Associated Press, the granddaughter of the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini–she’s an avowed reformist in Iran’s political landscape–declared that “the only way to save the country is for [former Iranian president Mohammad] Khatami to run next year in presidential elections. He is the only one who will defeat Ahmadinejad.”

I’m no fan of the current president of Iran, but I fail to see how Khatami would be much better. After all, assuming the National Intelligence Estimate is accurate in its assessment that Iran suspended its nuclear weapons program in 2003 would mean that suspension happened during Khatami’s presidency. So, prior to 2003 he was promoting “the dialogue of civilizations” around the globe while building a nuke in his backyard.

Clearly, those hoping that the upcoming elections in Iran will weaken Ahmadinejad and give way to a return of the “moderates” forget three things. One: the nuclear program and the quest for a nuclear weapon went on under reformists as well as hardliners. There seems to be little difference among them on the nuclear issue. Two: whoever is president or serving inside the Majlis (the legislative assembly) may matter little. The ultimate decision maker–Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei–is not going to change his worldview on nukes (or anything else) as a result of elections. And three: even under the reformist Khatami, Iran’s human rights failed to improve. In fact, there is considerable evidence that they deteriorated during Khatami’s presidency. So be careful what you wish for–you just might get it.