I missed this first time around...The Persian Pipsqueak gives a shout out to the Twelfth Imam.

The pipsqueak throws down the gauntlet. (updates at the bottom)

From the WaPo transcript.

SPEAKER: IRANIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD>

AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful...

TRANSLATOR: The president is reciting verses from the holy Koran in Arabic. (Ed. note: what verses I wonder?)

AHMADINEJAD (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Oh, God, hasten the arrival of Imam al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those to attest to his rightfulness.

Update: And why weren't they translated????

INTERPRETER: The president is reciting verses from the Holy Koran in Arabic. (Not translated.)

Update: About those Koran verses? They weren't translated over at IRNA either.

Update: About those Koran verses? The verses weren't translated over at the National Press Club, as well. Not only that they abbreviated Ahmadinejad's call to the Mahdi???