Iran’s upcoming presidential election is set to be contentious, pitting the ruling coalition of moderates and Reformists against hard-line conservatives. As moderate incumbent President Hassan Rouhani seeks a second term, his opponents are striving to reach a consensus over a single candidate — a prospect that appears unachievable given deep disagreements among conservatives, with former chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and Ayatollah Mohammad-Taghi Mesbah Yazdi’s hard-line Endurance Front opting not to join a grand coalition. Whether the conservatives back only one or several candidates, Rouhani certainly faces tough days ahead. As the only candidate of the moderate-Reformist coalition, he will have to deal with not only direct attacks by his opponents but also likely revelations and leaks targeting his inner circle.
The hard-liners have five main Rouhani allies in their crosshairs:
