Tag: Middle East Institute

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Hard-liners batter President Hassan Rouhani over his faltering nuclear deal, sending his popularity plummeting. Welcome to the topsy-turvy world of Iranian politics. “I don’t think that the majority of people are after regime change . America appears poised to further sanction Iran despite Tehran abiding by Rouhani’s nuclear deal with world powers, which saw Iran limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for sanctions being lifted. The 69-year-old Rouhani, himself a Shiite cleric, could potentially be considered when Iran picks its third-ever supreme leader. But popular anger continues to rise against Rouhani, threatening whatever mandate he could claim in the future. Telephone surveys by IranPoll, a Toronto-based firm, also have seen a precipitous drop in Rouhani’s popular support. “Such stories suggest that the Islamic Republic may be approaching an existential crisis, where its core values such as adopting a simple lifestyle and observing Islam strictly are widely promoted by the establishment but not necessarily followed by the elite,” analyst Sara Bazoobandi recently wrote for the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. Meanwhile, social change can be seen on any street in Tehran, as some young women wear their state-mandated hijabs loosely over their hair. Noting nearly 40 years have passed since the Islamic Revolution, she added: “The world and the situation have changed.” “People have reached a point that they have nothing to lose,” said Hashemi, who herself has served prison time over her comments and activism.

Hard-liners batter President Hassan Rouhani over his faltering nuclear deal, sending his popularity plummeting. Welcome to the topsy-turvy world of Iranian politics. "I don't think that the majority of people are after regime change . America appears poised to further sanction Iran despite Tehran abiding by Rouhani's nuclear deal with world powers, which saw Iran limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for sanctions being lifted. The 69-year-old Rouhani, himself a Shiite cleric, could potentially be considered when Iran picks its third-ever supreme leader. Telephone surveys by IranPoll, a Toronto-based firm, also have seen a precipitous drop in Rouhani's popular support. There are signs, however, that the Iranian government recognizes the growing anger. Iran saw nationwide protests in late December and early January over its worsening economic situation, which resulted in nearly 5,000 reported arrests and at least 25 people being killed. Meanwhile, social change can be seen on any street in Tehran, as some young women wear their state-mandated hijabs loosely over their hair. "Usually you only fear things for the first time, when things happen once you are no longer worried, and you get a bit braver, and you raise your demands more freely."