Both were relatively unknown before their presidencies; both depended on the supreme leader’s backing to gain power; and both gradually lost support as they attempted to reduce the influence of the clerical hierarchy and the IRGC. Most important, both failed to create an external organization on which they could rely if their official protection failed.
内贾德的故事在很多方面都与巴尼萨德尔非常相似。这两人在出任总统前都籍籍无名；同样仰仗最高领袖的支持来获得权力；并在试图削弱神职人员和伊朗革命卫队的势力后逐渐丧失了支持。最重要的是，他们都未能在官方保护失效的情况下建立起可以依赖的外部组织。