Obstacles temper hopes for new global role for Iran

By allowing the election to Iran’s presidency of moderate Hassan Rouhani, the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has tacitly admitted his own past blunders and shown a desire for better relations with Washington and Europe. 

But although the prospects of dialogue with Tehran look better than they have for many years, there are still formidable obstacles around Iran’s nuclear ambitions and resolution of its role in the basic schisms in the Middle East, writes international affairs analyst Jonathan Manthorpe in his new column today. It is available with a $1 day pass for the entire site, or by subscription.