Iran: Crunch time looms for nuclear deal

Fears that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s illness could lead to a major internal power struggle within the next, critical few weeks seem premature (see Politics). Meanwhile, even if the rahbar (supreme leader) has been clear that Iran will not be joining a US-led coalition to fight the Islamic State challenge, Washington has been talking about Iran in more constructive terms, seeing it as an important regional player that cannot be ignored in countering the jihadist challenge rising out of Iraq and Syria. The regional realignment gives welcome substance to President Hassan Rouhani and foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s claims to be repositioning the Islamic Republic as a major regional actor – and trading partner – in the face of rival factions’ scepticism.