In yet another example of Real Life Imitating Science Fiction, and in particular the SF of Lois McMaster Bujold, Iranian Women were told that they could stand for election to be president of Iran if they had the "necessary qualifications" but this has now been denied.
An Iranian TV report had earlier quoted Gholamhossein Elham as saying women with the "necessary qualifications" would be free to run for high office.
He has now told Iran's student news agency he never made such a statement.
Iran is due to elect a new president in June, when the current incumbent, the reformist Mohammad Khatami, reaches the end of his second and final term.
Iranian law states the president must be one of the political "rejal" - an ambiguous term that can be interpreted to mean "men" or "personalities".
Iran's constitutional watchdog, the Guardian Council, has adhered to the narrower definition of "rejal", thereby excluding women.
Apparently the "necessary qualification" is therefore a penis. Sex change operations à la Dono/Donna Vorrutyer anyone?