In a sign of the escalating political infighting within the Iranian regime, President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad was warned on Wednesday by some of his staunchest supporters that he might not survive a second four-year term in power.

The re-election of Mr Ahmadi-Nejad in a disputed vote last month sparked the worst unrest the Islamic republic had seen. At least 20 people were killed and hundreds detained as the security forces tackled street protests. The result has been condemned as illegitimate by several opposition leaders but now some fundamentalist supporters of Mr Ahmadi-Nejad – whose inauguration is scheduled for next Wednesday – have joined in the criticism, saying he cannot take them for granted.