Hassan Rouhani: The Reformist President of Iran
Introduction
Hassan Rouhani, the seventh and current President of Iran, has been in power since August 2013. Born in 1948, Rouhani has had a long career in Iranian politics, serving in various roles including as a member of parliament, as the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and as a top nuclear negotiator.
Since becoming president, Rouhani has been known for his efforts to improve relations with the international community, particularly with the West. He has called for an end to sanctions against Iran and has sought to promote a more moderate and reformist agenda within Iran. In this article, we will explore Rouhani's background, his presidency, and the challenges that he faces as he tries to address the political and economic issues facing Iran.
Background
Rouhani was born in Sorkheh, a small town in Iran's Semnan Province. He was educated in a religious institution and later went on to study law at Tehran University. He received a PhD in Constitutional Law from Scotland's Glasgow Caledonian University in 1995.
Rouhani began his political career in the early 1980s, serving as an advisor to several key members of Iran's government. In 1989, he was elected to parliament, where he served for several terms. He became the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in 1989, a position he held until 2005.
As the head of Iran's national security apparatus, Rouhani was responsible for overseeing Iran's nuclear program. During this time, he played a key role in negotiating with Western powers over Iran's nuclear ambitions. In 2013, he was elected President of Iran, defeating a field of conservative candidates.
Rouhani's Presidency
Since taking office, Rouhani has pursued a more moderate and reformist agenda than his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He has sought to improve relations with the international community and has called for an end to the economic sanctions that have been imposed on Iran.
One of Rouhani's key achievements has been the negotiation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement between Iran and six world powers on the country's nuclear program. The JCPOA lifted many of the economic sanctions that had been imposed on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program.
Rouhani has also sought to reform Iran's economy, which has struggled under the weight of sanctions and other economic challenges. He has pursued a policy of privatization and has sought to attract foreign investment to the country. However, his efforts have been hampered by the reluctance of many Western businesses to invest in Iran due to the remaining US sanctions.
Rouhani has also been an advocate for political reform in Iran. He has called for greater political freedoms and has sought to protect the rights of minorities and women in the country. However, his efforts in this regard have been met with resistance from more conservative elements in Iranian society.
Challenges
Despite Rouhani's efforts, he faces a number of challenges in his presidency. The most significant of these is the ongoing hostility of the United States towards Iran. The Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the JCPOA and reimpose economic sanctions on Iran has made it difficult for Rouhani to pursue his reform agenda.
In addition to the economic challenges facing Iran, Rouhani also faces political challenges at home. His efforts to promote greater political freedoms and to protect the rights of minorities and women have been met with resistance from more conservative elements in Iranian society. The recent crackdown on protests in the country is an example of this resistance.
Furthermore, Rouhani's presidency has been marked by tension with Iran's conservative religious establishment. While Rouhani has sought to promote a more moderate and reformist agenda, many in the religious establishment are opposed to his efforts.
Conclusion
Hassan Rouhani's presidency has been marked by efforts to promote a more moderate and reformist agenda in Iran. He has sought to improve relations with the international community and to address the economic and political challenges facing Iran. However, his efforts have been hampered by hostile US policies, as well as resistance from more conservative elements in Iranian society.
Despite these challenges, Rouhani remains committed to his reform agenda. He has called for greater political freedoms and for the protection of the rights of minorities and women in Iran. Whether or not he will be successful in realizing these goals remains to be seen, but his presidency has already had a significant impact on Iran and on the wider Middle East region.