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Profile: President Hassan Rouhani

President Hassan Rouhani

06/01/2018

BBC Radio 4 - Profile, President Hassan Rouhani

Mark Coles looks at the life and career of President Hassan Rouhani.

As violent protests continue on the streets of Iran, Mark Coles looks at the life and career of President Hassan Rouhani.

It's been a tumultuous week in Iran.

Thousands of protestors in more than twenty towns and cities taking to the streets to demand economic and political change. 

On the programme this week, we update a profile we did of Hassan Rouhani when he first became President of Iran back in 2013. 

Regarded as more liberal than some of his predecessors - and now in his second term as President - he faces the unenviable task of trying to balance the demands of the Iranian people who want better living conditions with the religious establishment which still wields ultimate power. 

Meanwhile, lurking in the wings, is US President Donald Trump - threatening to tear up a 2015 deal that waived sanctions in return for Iran reigning in its nuclear programme. 

Mark Coles hears from Iranian journalists, political analysts and some of the President's former colleagues as we get to grips with where he's come from and what his future may be. 


Producer Smita Patel
Editor Emma Rippon.

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