Hassan Rouhani’s 1th Norouz Meeting: Navigating Challenges and Pursuing Diplomacy
However, Rouhani’s diplomatic victory was short-lived when the US unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA under the Trump administration in 2018, which dealt a big blow to this agreement, thereby straining Iran’s international relations. The re-imposition of US sanctions not only derailed Iran’s economic recovery but stirred up home-grown dissatisfaction alongside increased geo-political tensions within the region.
But through these struggles, some sections of Iranians were not satisfied with the Rouhani leadership, either conservatives or reformists. Conservatives criticized him for what they saw as bowing down to western pressures, thereby sacrificing national interests, while others applauded him for pursuing moderation through engaging international communities. These were considerable obstacles to reforming or engaging an agenda that he faced due to Iran being characterized by various ideological currents and vested interests.
Nevertheless, despite the challenges posed during Rouhani’s term, it marked a period of incremental change and tentatively opened up Iran. Modest improvements in areas like civil liberties, women’s rights, and cultural freedoms have been observed under his administration amidst the backdrop of continuing authoritarianism and censorship. Rouhani’s adoption of pragmatism as well as diplomacy demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the geopolitics of Iran, making him a critical player within the country’s politics.
As Rouhani’s presidency came to an end, his legacy was open to interpretation due to the intricate interplay between continuity and change in Iran’s political system. Although it had its ups and downs during his tenure, Rouhani’s attempts to navigate through the multi-faced challenges faced by Iran highlighted the need for strategic pragmatism and diplomatic engagement in shaping its future direction.
Iran stands at a crossroads with both internal crises, such as economic woes and social unrest, and external challenges, like regional instability and foreign rivalry. The lessons that can be learned from Rouhani’s leadership shed light on complex governance systems as well as foreign relations in Iran, thus providing a blueprint for future leaders who will be charged with steering this nation towards stability, prosperity, and integration with other countries.
