The international community invested much effort and hope in the Reformists, but they're pre-screened, pre-approved loyal opposition. More and more of their supporters are realizing it's futile to promote change from within because Iran's paramilitary mafia still occupy the top of the pyramid. Khamenei controls every apparatus of state: legislature, politics, information and military.

As quoted in Cnaan Liphshiz. Obama 'chickened out' of confronting mullahs. The Jerusalem Post. July 6, 2012.