Iran realities weigh heavy on Rouhani and reformist ambitions

There were broad smiles around the Majles-e Showra-ye Eslami (Islamic Consultative Assembly or parliament) chamber as President Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran had reached ‘implementation day’ for the nuclear deal – earlier than the US and most of the P5+1 partners had believed likely – and sanctions would be lifted. Analysts said the Rouhani administration had accelerated decommissioning work at Arak to ensure sanctions were lifted before 26 February elections for the Majles-e Showra and Majles-e Khobregan (Assembly of Experts).