Reality often belies the forbidding, extreme image of Iran's bearded clerics. When a Western liberal meets Grand Ayatollah Yusef Saanei, once the deputy head of the judiciary and a former member of the powerful Council of Guardians, they find little to disagree over.
One of only 15 grand ayatollahs in Iran - the Supreme Leader himself is merely an ayatollah - Mr Saanei, 70, provides spiritual inspiration for the country's reformers. He is also deeply critical of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who he accuses of "breaking the backs of many of our people" with economic hardship.
Mr Saanei believes that Islamic Sharia law should be reinterpreted to provide for absolute equality between the sexes. "In every right in human society, men and women are equal," he told The Daily Telegraph.
"I believe that a woman can lead prayers in the mosque. A woman can become the Supreme Leader, let alone the president. Islam knows no discrimination between its followers, whether on grounds of nationality or race or gender."
Sounds good to me, very progressive ideas, perhaps a chance for reform ...?
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