Economics

Rouhani Starts Second Term With Trump’s Shadow Hanging Over Tehran

  • U.S. president has added sanctions, condemned Iranian policy
  • EU foreign policy chief Mogherini to attend weekend ceremony

Hassan Rouhani

Photographer: Christophe Morin/Bloomberg
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Hassan Rouhani this week officially starts his second term at the helm of Iran’s government, with the optimism of his landslide victory in May now eclipsed by a deepening standoff with the U.S.

The moderate cleric, 68, won another four years as president with his promise to build on the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and boost the economy. He was confirmed in his position by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday, ahead of an inauguration ceremony in parliament attended by dozens of foreign dignitaries two days later.