Iran’s parliament rules president’s ministry move broke law

Pressure continues to mount on Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after the country’s parliament judged that he acted illegally by declaring himself caretaker oil minister after he sacked the previous incumbent.

The case has now been referred to the judiciary.

The move has been seen as a power grab by some as the Islamic Republic has vast oil reserves and generates billions of petro-dollars.

Iran watchers say it is unclear if the president could now face impeachment.

It is the latest in a festering confrontation between the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The growing power struggle comes less than a year before parliamentary elections are due in March 2012.

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