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Is prominent conservative cleric really a threat to Rouhani?

While Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and cleric Ebrahim Raisi have to some extent shared backgrounds in public service, the incumbent Iranian president’s greater experience in politics remains the biggest thorn in the side of his conservative opponents.
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TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is aiming for another term in office, and as such the May 19 elections in Iran pose an ultimate vote of confidence. Rouhani’s aides do not seem to doubt his prospects as they believe this government has done almost everything it could to make the situation in the country better than it was four years ago. “It is true that not all the promises were met due to several circumstances, yet it is important to highlight the number of achievements that were made in these difficult years,” a political source close to Rouhani’s camp told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.

He added, “It has been only one year and a few months since the nuclear deal was implemented; everything needs time but people can see the differences — we are exporting more oil and have more investments and the coming months are going to have more [in store] for the nation and the people.”

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