Conservative factionalism will shape Iran’s policies

Significance

The new conservative president is walking a fine balance between hard-line conservative demands and pragmatic compromises as regards negotiations on a revival of the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, as well as other key issues. The label ‘conservative’ in fact reveals little about politicians’ core policy views.

Impacts

• Even though government appointments have all been conservative, policy choices may diverge from longstanding consensus positions.
• Despite a public backlash, a revised bill to regulate social media is likely to be presented and ratified in the coming months.
• Conservatives will maintain the rhetoric against official corruption and mismanagement despite their own control over elected institutions.