In a sign pf the blackening of reputations of political rivals in the lead up to the election, Kayhan, a newspaper close to the Office of the Supreme Leader, has launched an attack on First Vice-President and potential candidate Eshaq Jahangiri, accusing him of blackmailing rivals and failing in government. Jahangiri’s supporters have responded, arguing that the accusations made in Kayhan were either inaccurate or false.