Unconfirmed reports out of Iran say former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has resigned as chairman of the powerful Expediency Council, which arbitrates disputes between the religious leadership (Council of Guardians) and the Majlis or parliament.

Rafsanjani also chairs the Assembly of Experts, and it's not clear if he will retain that position. That is the group that elects (and conceivably can remove) the religious Supreme Leader -- currently Ali Khamenei. If he keeps that post, it could set up an interesting dynamic.

Rafsanjani had solidly backed defeated presidential candidate Mir Hosein Mousavi, and was personally attacked for that by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. There are two possible interpretations of his (alleged) resignation: either it's a protest against Khamenei's acceptance of the disputed election result, or it's Khamenei and Ahmadinejad forcing him out to nip any protests in the bud. Or a little of both.

Either way, Iran could be losing a powerful pragmatist (though conservative) voice. Not a good sign.