Iran's pro-reform parliament has asked a constitutional watchdog of religious hardliners to rule on whether a woman can run for president.
The hardline Guardian Council, which has the power to veto candidates, has in the past rejected aspiring women candidates for the presidency, although it has allowed them to run for parliament.
Iran's constitution says the president should be an Iranian, a Muslim and a "political 'rejal'". Rejal, an Arabic word, literally means "men", but some senior clerics in Iran say it could also refer to women.
Political analysts expect the Guardian Council to rule that women are constitutionally barred from standing for president.
The second term of pro-reform President Mohammad Khatami, whose government has made efforts to improve women's rights, expires in mid-2005 and he is ineligible to stand for re-election.
The surprise award last year of the Nobel Peace prize to Iranian human rights lawyer Ms Shirin Ebadi generated some initial speculation that she may run for president in the future.
Ms Ebadi said last December she saw no reason why a woman could not be president but insists she has no political ambitions herself.