Significance
His government is in an impasse with the conservative parliament over the draft budget for the new fiscal year beginning on March 21. Rouhani needs the US sanctions to be lifted fast and a COVID-19 vaccination campaign to allow for an exit from the pandemic in order to meet his economic promises.
Impacts
The supreme leader will become even more closely involved in shaping economic policy, with the autarkic ‘resistance’ narrative dominant.
Khamenei may seek a new ‘jihadi manager’ president, linked to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), who follows his economic vision.
Progress with vaccinations, which began on February 8, will likely be slow, as supplies have become highly politicised.