In a few weeks to come, Iran will be saying farewell to its former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and ushering in a new one, Hassa Rouhani. Rouhani has hit the ground running by promising to “build trust” with the west.
Rouhani, 65, who won over 50% of the votes in the national elections, plans to increase transparency on the nuclear front and build trust. He has a reputation for avoiding extreme oppositions and bridging differences, however, with a long history of service in the country’s defense establishment, he is no pushover. He is a leader on three wars and defense councils, a former commander of Iranian air defenses and a diplomatic and a legal intellectual. For 13 years before Ahmadinejad took office, he was a national security adviser for the president.
Rouhani has three law degrees, which include a doctorate from a university in Scotland. He also publishes essays on a regular basis since he is the president of Iran’s strategic research center.
Rouhani whose victory in the national elections prompted nationwide celebrations has promised to reduce tensions with the west, bring moderation back to the forefront of Iranian politics and show more transparency on its nuclear front.
According to the country’s Interior minister, Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar, 72% of the 50 million eligible Iranians turned out to vote, with Rouhani securing over 50% of the votes. Rouhani inherits a country that was slapped with sanctions from the west. Those sanctions have targeted the key oil and banking sector because of the nuclear program, thereby crippling the country’s economy.
Two days after being confirmed as the elected successor to Ahmadinejad, in his first press conference in Tehran, Rouhani presented himself as a politician willing to “enhance mutual trust” between Tehran and the international community which include the US and Britain. He also views himself as the savior of Iranian economy by working to lift sanctions.
The new president was nicknamed in the Iranian media as the diplomat sheikh and the sheikh of hope as he wants to build trust with other countries. Rouhani showed that he will seek a “friendly relationship” with all its neighbors, including the Arab countries, in particular Saudi Arabia.
Rouhani has deemed it “unfair” the sanctions that were imposed on his country. The west suspects Iran of trying to build a nuclear weapon; however, Iran says its program is entirely peaceful. Rouhani said Tehran would not suspend Uranium enrichment activities (This has been viewed as a stumbling block by some).
The UK has expressed its hope that Rouhani would act on his pledge to resolve the issue.
Following Dr Rouhani’s election, there is hope that the Iranian government will take up the opportunity of a new relationship with the international community by making every effort to reach a negotiated settlement on the nuclear issue, according to the UK Foreign Minister William Hague.
The US cut relations with Iran following the 1979 revolution and seizure of the US embassy by Islamist students. It was also behind the 1953 coup that overthrew the democratically-elected prime minister, and in his place put the Shah into power who then ruled Iran until the 1979 revolution. Rouhani has vowed to restore the diplomatic ties with the US that were severed.
Iran is under severe pressure from unemployment and soaring prices, with the official rate of inflation at nearly 30%, although the unofficial report places it at a much higher rate. The cause of inflation is cited as mismanagement; however, international sanctions have also wreaked havoc to the country’s economy. With banking sanctions that have made it difficult for the country to trade with the outside world thereby making it impossible to bring back its petrodollars into its fold, the result was a shortage of hard currency which has led to a huge drop in the value of the Iranian rial. The percentage drop in last year was placed at 80%. For the country to reach the road to recovery in terms of its economy, Rouhani needs to end the sanctions and improve management in some parts of the economy.
Rouhani has diplomatic experience since he was Iran’s top nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005. He has dealt with Western powers at the highest levels, this gives hope that he will be able to make his mark in the bid to bridge the country’s relationship with the outside world, more so the west.
America’s first reaction to Rouhani’s election was to offer direct talks with Tehran on Iran’s nuclear program, in addition to the bilateral relations. Following this, a number of people feel that anything is possible.
Rouhani as compared to the other five contenders is seen as moderate by Western powers. In view of this, they have shown a willingness to engage with the new Iranian president
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