Iranian President Hassan Rouhani put his political life on the line to champion a nuclear deal with Western powers in the face of fierce opposition from hardliners at home. With the deal now on shaky ground after US President Donald Trump pulled out, the 69-year-old mild-mannered cleric faces the prospect of serving out his second term as a lame duck leader. Trump's announcement that he will reimpose US economic sanctions on Iran to undermine the nuclear deal is now expected to shift the balance of power against Rouhani. Aware hardliners could try to exploit the shift in US policy, Rouhani quickly said Iran could remain in the pact with other Western powers. Now, with the deal collapsing, Rouhani will be even weaker," said an Iranian diplomat, who declined to be named.

Source: dna May 09, 2018 19:52 UTC