An Iranian presidential aide dismisses recent criticism against the government as a sign that rivals are pursuing an early election campaign.

A representative of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in the Supreme National Security Council said on Tuesday that the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had failed to 'make use of golden opportunities'.

"Over the past three years, oil prices have skyrocketed to unimaginable levels," said Hojjatoleslam Hassan Rowhani, who also heads the Expert Assembly's Center for Strategic Research.

Rowhani said President Ahmadinejad had promised to achieve various objectives even if oil prices were to stay fixed at US$25 per barrel.

Masoud Zaribafan, an advisor to Ahmadinejad, said Wednesday that such remarks are only intended to promote election objectives.

The Council of Guardians has set June 12, 2009 as Iran's tenth presidential election, in which the incumbent president will run for his second term.

MD/AA