Jannati's very presence at the pulpit surprised Iran watchers. Moderate cleric Ayatollah Mohammad Emami-Kashani was officially scheduled to address worshipers. Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president who usually delivers the sermon once a month, last stood at the pulpit on May 22. Rafsanjani is opposition candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi's most powerful backer.
The absence of moderate clerics at the Friday pulpit strongly suggests a continuing rift at the highest levels of the Iranian establishment over the election and more confrontation between the two camps in coming days.
Jannati's Guardian Council recently reaffirmed Ahmadinejad's reelection after a partial recount of ballots in a vote many critics said was flawed. The council ignored Mousavi's charge that ballot boxes were taken to military bases after they left polling stations, contending that most violations were minor.
Official photographs of the recount showed thousands of unfolded ballots, even though voters were required to fold their ballots before dropping them into boxes. At least some of the votes for Ahmadinejad appear to have been written in the same handwriting and same pen, according to the official photographs.
"Utmost attention was paid to deal with [election] complaints," Jannati insisted in his address to worshipers. "There were no problems with the elections."
He blamed protesters for damage to private property during street clashes, even as amateur video has surfaced showing security forces smashing car windows and damaging motorcycles.
"You set fire to buses and public property. In whose interest are you doing so?" Jannati said, speaking of the protesters.
Even as hundreds of Mousavi's supporters and other dissidents languish in custody as a result of the crackdown, Jannati called for unity.
"No matter what political line you follow, the world is constantly watching this country," he said.
"We have a global mission. Now should we fight against each other? We should abide by the law and make up for the past."
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daragahi@latimes.com
Special correspondent Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran and Times staff writer Janet Stobart in London contributed to this report.
