The real power in Iran is with the Ayatollahs , namely the Supreme Leader and the Council of Guardians . It is they that prevented any real reforms under a previous administration , as well as blocking many reformists from standing at the next election . This political engineering was further compounded by a boycott by many reformists and voters.
As to his views and life in Iran , yes there is a great deal to be angry about .The wipe Israel off the map thing is a mistranslation and doesn't help . He is talking of an end to a Jewish state entity , not it's peoples . This is as he sees it not as Israel but as Palestine . When he talks of Jews there he has talked of Palestinian Jews , so I suppose what he seeks is a multi faith state , unlikely a thing happening as that may seem to be(see link below ). He has not helped himself with the whole holocaust thing ,and it is a widespread belief in the region , many do not know of it, and all sides in the region produce vile propaganda/misconceptions . The key thing to understand is the running sore of the Israel/Palestine debate and there is a lot of misinformation/distortions out there with regards to history/agents of the region . If I was Iran I would probably want the bomb considering Israel nearby , and they see no reason as to why they should not be allowed nuclear power . Although they have some oil reserves apparently , it will not last forever.
I not pro the man or the current regime , but nor am I pro let's go blow the fucknuts out of the A-rabs .In fact that would only probably serve to unite people behind the regime and continue to confirm their feelings to the west which has interfered and pissed about with the country to an criminal level . Ironically , I don't see a great deal of difference between him and Bush when all is said and done , except Ahmadinejad is not invading countries , causing deaths on anywhere near the same scale and is more erudite.
A recent article where he gives a speech and response to criticism.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/202820.php
EDIT....an excellent criticism of human rights as opposed to the focus on Iranian foreign policy
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-sedae ... 65843.html?