Iran Primer's Blog
Rouhani: Tweets picture at US field hospital
President-elect Hassan Rouhani has tweeted a picture of himself next to an American woman at a U.S. field hospital set up to treat survivors of the 2003 earthquake near the southeastern city of Bam. Rouhani’s English-language…
Rouhani and the Economy: The Pitfalls
The Institute of International Finance has warned that president-elect Hassan Rouhani faces tough economic hurdles that will not be solved easily or quickly. Its new report says that rolling back sanctions is far off. The following…
Rouhani: First Presser on US, Reforms, Nukes
On June 17, president-elect Hassan Rouhani called for new ways “to build trust” with the international community on Iran’s controversial nuclear program. Rouhani, in his first press conference, said both the United States and Iran need to find a way to heal "a very…
Obama on Rouhani Victory
On June 17, President Barack Obama said that the United States is open to engaging with Iran through bilateral channels. But Tehran must recognize that sanctions will not be lifted absent “significant steps” show that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons, he…
Election:What Rouhani Victory Means for Iran
Shaul Bakhash Hassan Rouhani’s surprising first round victory in the presidential elections represents a significant shift in the Iranian political landscape. In a field of candidates dominated by conservatives, Rouhani ran as a moderate. He questioned the…
US Report: Human Trafficking Rises in Iran
In its annual report on human trafficking, the State Department called Iran a “presumed source, transit, and destination country for men, women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor.” The number of teenage girls…
Rouhani: Diverse Reaction by Iranian Leaders
Top Iranian leaders used their congratulatory messages to President-elect Hassan Rouhani to offer their own takes on the election results. Some seemed unwilling to concede the defeat of the hardliner “principlist” camp. Other…
G8 Communique on Iran
On June 18, the Group of Eight industrialized nations called on Iran to move “without delay” to fulfill its long-delayed obligations in answering questions about its controversial nuclear program. It also called on the international…
Election: US Reacts to Results
In two separate statements, the United States called on the Iranian government to heed its people’s will after the surprise election of Hassan Rouhani in the first round of presidential elections. The Obama administration also “remains ready to engage…
Rouhani: World Reacts to Election
World leaders issued diverse reactions to the stunning election of Hassan Rouhani to Iran’s presidency. Governments from Europe to Israel and Russia hoped that his election would mark a turning point in stabilizing the region. Some…