Iranian New Year tensions ahead of May elections

As Iran celebrates Persian New Year, Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has criticised President Rouhani’s economic policy of opening Iran to more international trade and investment following the lifting of sanctions in 2016. The televised speech by Khamenei comes ahead of elections this May when Rouhani hopes to win a second four-year term.

Despite the lifting of the sanctions, the world’s banks have so far declined the opportunity to do business in Iran in fear that they may still be penalised by the US. This has had a significant impact on Iran’s efforts to regain needed investment into the country. Economic achievements of the Rouhani government are therefore weak in the eyes of the people, threatening his re-election later in the year. The New Year address by Khamenei puts distance between him and the current government in anticipation of the pressure and criticism Rouhani may see in the next few months.

This Reuters article explains more.