Topic: Hassan Rouhani

The coronavirus spread rapidly in Iran, centered in the holy city of Qom, partly due to maintained flight connections with China. Several high-ranking officials, including the deputy health minister, tested positive for the virus. President Hassan Rouhani accused the United States of using the outbreak to spread fear and force the closure of the Iranian economy.

Pope Francis canceled events at the Vatican due to a slight fever, leading to speculation about his health. In Iran, the Deputy Health Minister, Iraj Harirchi, tested positive for the virus after appearing symptomatic at a press conference. President Hassan Rouhani characterized the outbreak as a "threat of the enemy" designed to spread fear and close the country.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran will stop complying with parts of the 2015 nuclear deal in response to U.S. sanctions. Iran plans to resume high-level uranium enrichment in 60 days if other signatories do not protect its oil and banking sectors, a move Russia blames on American provocation.

Nick Schifrin of PBS NewsHour reports on the clash between Trump's nationalism and the internationalism of other world leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron defends "multilateralism" as a counter to Trump's "unilateralism." Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani rejects dialogue with the U.S. following the withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the imposition of new sanctions.

The Iranian government banned the use of cryptocurrency as the national currency, the riyal, experienced a significant drop in value ahead of the May 15 sanctions deadline. President Hassan Rouhani dismissed President Macron's proposal to renegotiate the 2015 nuclear deal, stating that Iran would not remain in the agreement if it is not maintained as originally signed. The U.S. is expected to push for renewed SWIFT banking sanctions.

Nationwide protests in Iran have spread to 80 cities, fueled by high youth unemployment and rising food prices. While the government blames "cyberspace" and foreign influence, protesters are reportedly shouting slogans against the supreme leader. A listener in Tehran provides an update, noting the secular nature of the demonstrations and the public's frustration with government spending.

Hassan Rouhani won re-election as President of Iran, promising further engagement with the international community. The hosts note the "hip and urban" appearance of the Iranian youth in media reports, contrasting it with traditional Western stereotypes. Despite the lifting of some nuclear-related sanctions, many U.S. sanctions remain in place, impacting the local economy.

Following the implementation of the nuclear deal, international sanctions on Iran are lifted, unfreezing billions of dollars in assets. President Hassan Rouhani predicts an economic boom and seeks $30-50 billion in annual foreign investment. The lifting of the embargo allows Iran to rejoin the IBAN system and accept international credit cards, which is expected to revitalize its tourism industry.

Iran's Supreme Leader and President Hassan Rouhani express resistance to foreign inspections of military sites and interviews with nuclear scientists as the June 30 deadline approaches. Secretary Ernest Moniz remains involved in technical meetings to ensure the program remains peaceful. The hosts express skepticism regarding the likelihood of a final agreement given the "incessant new demands" cited by Iranian leadership.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismisses the role of the US Congress in the nuclear deal negotiations, stating that his government deals with world leaders rather than lawmakers. The hosts discuss the friction between the Obama administration and Congress regarding the oversight of the deal. They characterize the situation as a "political football" being passed between international and domestic actors.

Retired Admiral Mike Mullen states that he views Iran as a greater long-term challenge than ISIS, citing a lack of American understanding of the country's internal complexities. The hosts criticize Mullen's admission as an indictment of the U.S. intelligence community. Mullen discusses the tension between President Hassan Rouhani's reformist faction and the Supreme Leader's ideological group ahead of upcoming Iranian elections.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani claimed the Geneva nuclear agreement was a "surrender" by international powers to Iran. Meanwhile, Israel's Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill that would criminalize the use of the word "Nazi" or Nazi symbols, punishable by six months in prison. The law aims to prevent the trivialization of the Holocaust but has faced criticism for infringing on free speech.

The hosts analyze the interim nuclear agreement with Iran, focusing on Secretary of State John Kerry's statements regarding uranium enrichment. They express skepticism about the "trust" involved in the negotiations and suggest the deal is more about managing the supply of centrifuge parts and plutonium reactors than preventing a bomb.

The United States has lost its voting rights at UNESCO after failing to pay dues for two years, a move triggered by the organization's admission of Palestine in 2011. The hosts link this to a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel and Iran. They discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu's opposition to nuclear talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.