A victory for Rouhani is seen as strengthening his domestic mandate to integrate Iran with the global economy. “Iranians and Iran just started gaining respect in the world under Rouhani and the economy is doing slightly better,” said the 35-year-old, who declined to give his surname. Rouhani advocates the foreign investment promised by the nuclear deal but which has been held up by concerns over remaining punitive sanctions. Executives “expect him to be bolder in terms of tax reform and trade liberalisation” in a second term, he said. A Rouhani second term would allow Iran to present its “best face” and protect the nuclear deal by driving a wedge between the US and other signatories, said Vaez at Crisis Group.

Source: Bangkok Post May 20, 2017 06:00 UTC