TEHRAN: The Emirates Policy Centre organised a workshop in Abu Dhabi last week on the latest developments emerging out of Iran following the signing of the nuclear deal and the recent completion of legislative elections. Undoubtedly, these will have significant repercussions that would further impact on the situation locally and across the regional.
Although Iran’s political situation topped the agenda at the workshop — where discussions ranged on changes that might surface in the country’s superstructure due to conflicts between conservatives and reformists — the economic scene will remain the defining factor of upcoming developments. More so after the sanctions deal and the parliamentary elections.
Obviously, Iran’s economic situation is fraught as evidenced by official reports issued by its central bank. After coming to power as successor to Ahmadinejad (who is currently accused of corruption), the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said he received an empty state treasury. He highlighted that point when oil prices exceeded $100 (Dh367) per barrel, but now with prices sharply down, the situation is difficult to imagine.
