Iran 2018: The year of living dangerously

Abstract

Two developments marked the year 2018; the re-imposition of unilateral sanctions by the United States, which under President Donald Trump decided to abandon the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA); and the protests, strikes and economic grievances that seriously affected Iranian society and economy. Both of these events influenced the conduct of Rouhani’s administration, which has since struggled to regain support from the political establishment and population.