Jamsheed K. Choksy : The uncertain status of two U.S. hikers reflects Iran divisions . They even went along with much-contested results of the 2009 presidential election despite Ahmadinejad 's increasing disregard of mandates from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the theocratic branch of the government , hoping he could be forced to toe their line . TL;DR Iranian authorities have detained a group of American hikers, including an evangelical pastor, who were on their way to visit the holy city of Qom, according to reports. Iran 's president is challenging the idea of Islamic theocracy , Choksy says .
Jamsheed K. Choksy : The uncertain status of two U.S. hikers reflects Iran divisions . TL;DR Iranian authorities have detained a group of American hikers, including an evangelical pastor, who were on their way to visit the holy city of Qom, according to reports. Iran 's president is challenging the idea of Islamic theocracy , Choksy says .