Reuters notes that Rouhani, who was re-elected to a second term in May’s sham elections, will struggle to fulfil campaign promises of job growth, increased freedoms, and increased investment by foreign companies.
However, it is important to note here, that whilst the infighting in the Iranian Regime will not help Rouhani to run the country, that is not the reason that the Iranian people will not see the benefits promised by the President.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, the senior Iran analyst at the Washington-based Foundation for Defence of Democracies, blamed the lack of behavioural change for lack of foreign investment.
He said: “Rouhani will continue to solicit the return of foreign businesses … to Iran without providing them with a much-needed change in behaviour to boost their confidence.”
Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, agreed.
He said: “Iran’s regional strategy has been consistent for four decades, regardless of who is president of the country. Opposition to the U.S. and Israel hasn’t changed, and opposition to Saudi Arabia has intensified.”
Rouhani is referred to by Reuters and others in Western media as a “moderate” but in reality, he is anything but: he executes children and political prisoners, defied the landmark nuclear weapons deal, and hates the West as much as anyone in the Iranian Regime.
Also, considering how many promises Rouhani broke in his first term (releasing political prisoners, fixing the economy) how can any Iranians trust him to keep his promises this time.
A senior official in the Iranian Regime, revealed that others within the Regime are attempting to bring Rouhani down. This is not surprising, given that the Iranian Regime is locked in constant struggles for power and they believe that by taking Rouhani down, they can seize power for themselves. The Regime does not differ on policy, all of the members just want to be the ones in control.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “To weaken Rouhani, they will try all possible ways, from provoking hawks in Washington to imposing more political limitations at home … and isolating Iran economically.”
The only person with the power to change anything within Iran is Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who warned that the Saudis faced “downfall” for their alliance with the US which was strengthened last month.
Therefore, it is time to stop appeasing the mullahs and work with the Iranian Resistance instead.