Hassan Rouhani’s 1th Norouz Meeting: Navigating Challenges and Pursuing Diplomacy

Despite such difficulties, Rouhani remains an important figure within Iranian politics due mainly to his approach to moderation (pragmatism). This implies that those who held our most significant political positions will always leave a lasting impact.

For example, it is important to highlight the changing paradigm in Iran that has forced Rouhani to modify his political positions over time. Initially, people perceived Rouhani’s stance as moderate and reforming, but this perception has significantly changed over time.

Rouhani began his presidency with a moderate agenda that included promoting personal liberties, access to information, and women’s rights. He also attempted diplomacy in Iran’s relations with other countries, mostly employing a groove-and-conciliatory approach when dealing with foreign leaders.

Nevertheless, during the course of his presidency, some of Rouhani’s convictions started shifting. In the 2017 reelection campaign, he moved more towards the progressive side, adopting progressively leftward positions, which reflected a general trend within Iranian politics: the rise of the reformist movement.