Khamenei has enhanced Expediency Council's powers
The Supreme leader has issued an edict enhancing the supervisory powers of the Expediency Council, which is led by the more pragmatic former President Rafsanjani.
While the Expediency Council's main constitutional role had been to advise the Supreme Leader and break potential stalemates between the Guardian Council and Parliament, it was granted authority to supervise the government's macro policies and long-term projects. Policies of the three main branches -- legislative, judicial & executive -- must now be approved by the Expediency Council prior to implementation.
For more background see ICG Middle East Report No 5, Iran: the Struggle for the Revolution's Soul, 5 August 2002.