Another report by Mehr, which is close to Khamenei, said a council controlled by Rafsanjani is urging all candidates to adhere to the law over the disputed election. But the report could not be confirmed, and analysts said both reports might be disinformation or an attempt to anger Rafsanjani and coax him back into the fold.
After days of caution, Obama on Friday spoke out forcefully against the Iranian government's conduct after dozens of journalists, activists and associates of Mousavi had been swept up by security forces.
The Obama administration hoped to broach talks with Tehran this year to resolve a long-standing dispute over Iran's nuclear research program. The postelection violence makes it politically difficult for U.S. officials to have contact with Iranian officials. After welcoming Iranian diplomats to join in Fourth of July celebrations at U.S. embassies, the Obama administration rescinded the invitations.
Analysts say Ahmadinejad draws domestic political strength when he is under attack internationally.
"If you continue your meddlesome stance, the Iranian nation's response will be crushing and regret-inducing," Ahmadinejad warned Obama.
"They constantly say that they want to talk with Iran," Ahmadinejad said in an address to judiciary officials. "We have announced our readiness. But do they expect us to talk with such comments? He made a mistake."
Ahmadinejad repeated his urging that Obama avoid following in the footsteps of former President George W. Bush.
"He also used to speak to the world from a position of arrogance and egotism, but you saw how God brought him down to abjectness and buried him in the dustbin of history," he said in comments broadcast on state radio.
"We do not expect much from those few European countries because they do not enjoy any particular status in the world," he said.
"However, we are surprised at Mr. Obama."
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daragahi@latimes.com
Special correspondent Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran contributed to this report.
