WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks very much, Lou. And to our viewers, you're in THE SITUATION ROOM where new pictures and information are arriving all the time. Standing by CNN reporters across the United States and around the world to bring you tonight's top stories...

BLITZER: The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has certainly inspired ill-feeling from many people around the word with his venomous anti-U.S. comments, but it also appears he's also inspired some resentment among some, some, in his own country. Has he now gone too far? Let's turn to our State Department correspondent Zain Verjee. She's watching this potentially significant story. Zain?

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, a powerful voice inside Iran, with a strong message, talk to the West.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VERJEE (voice-over): He's been laying low since he lost the 2005 presidential elections. But Hashemi Rafsanjani, an influential Iranian voice is now speaking out on the nuclear issue. In a meeting with a British diplomat, he says Iran is not after any nuclear ambitions.

He added that talks with the United States on the dispute over Iran's nuclear program are possible. He added, too, that Iran would not tolerate any attempt to resolve the issue by force. Analysts say Iranian leaders are fearful of a military showdown with the United States or Israel over its nuclear program and the explosive rhetoric from the current president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is not helping.

AFSHIN MOLAVI, NEW AMERICA FOUNDATION: And there is very serious concern that Ahmadinejad is not the man to be the front and center, the face of Iran, at this very delicate time...

MOLAVI: Ahmadinejad is losing his base. And when you lose your base, not only are your wings clipped, but your legs are being clipped as well. And I think that's the real danger that Ahmadinejad faces...

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