With President Mohammad Khatami leaving office in June, a liberal chapter in the post-revolution history of Iran comes to an end. Every indication is that, with a new president, Iran will be even more dominated by a conservative mullarchy, led by Khamenei, the Supreme Guide. Parliament, major ministries and numerous foundations are already in their hands.

President Khatami raised immense hopes when he was elected with a 70% majority in 1997, but did not deliver on his promises of implementing the rule of law and letting Iranians live their own lives. Iran is still an authoritarian theocracy...