His opposition to the building ban, Mr Atrianfar suggests, may be motivated by a desire to avenge himself on Mr Khatami's supporters in the council, who have ostracised him.

ECONOMIST: In a tremor-prone country, flimsy homes cost lives

Since losing his No. 1 ranking and the Wimbledon final to Djokovic, Nadal, now second, has been resting and preparing himself mentally and physically to avenge five straight defeats to the big-hitting Serb.

FORBES: Nadal Seeks To Put Brakes On Streamrolling Djokovic in U.S. Open Final