In his five years as president, Mr. Rouhani has tried to guide the Islamic Republic out of reclusion, shaping it into a more economically open country. The 2015 nuclear deal with the U.S. and other world powers was his signature achievement in which he won an end to years of sanctions by agreeing to curbs on the country’s nuclear program. Economic ills including 12% unemployment and a weakening currency have damped enthusiasm for Mr. Rouhani’s approach. President Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and reinstate sanctions on Tehran. Working in Mr. Rouhani’s favor is the apparent public rejection the hard-liners’ alternative vision.

Source: Wall Street Journal May 09, 2018 09:31 UTC