Source: BBC World News America
In the lead up to the Iranian presidential elections, Carnegie's Karim Sadjadpour told BBC World News America that while the outcome of this election will not change Iran’s external behavior with regard to its nuclear program, support for the Assad regime, or opposition to the United States and Israel, the new president will likely impact Iran’s internal atmosphere. While all of the candidates are conservative, the lone reformist candidate is Hassan Rowhani who is not a “fire breathing anti-American ideologue.” Sadjadpour predicted that there would most likely be a runoff election and that protests on the scale of those that occurred in 2009 were unlikely. He also argued that the incoming president will face serious economic challenges as Iran is dealing with draconian sanctions, an oil embargo, and colossal economic mismanagement and corruption.
This interview was originally aired on BBC World News America.