Skip to main content

Iran’s Rouhani shows spark of old self against hard-liners

Now that the Iranian president is out from under the pressure of his brother’s corruption trial, he appears to be returning to the outspoken moderate-reformist views that got him reelected.
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani is shown on a large video screen as he addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri - HP1EF9P16UTFU

In the past few weeks, Iran’s moderate president, Hassan Rouhani, has sought to defy hard-liners by bringing up controversial issues in his speeches.

During the past two years, Rouhani has disillusioned his fans and supporters who assumed that he would be committed to his promises: increasing social and political freedom and solving the long-standing dilemmas the country faces, including Tehran-Washington ties.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.