Prospects for Iran in 2022

Subject

Prospects for Iran in 2022.

Significance

After five waves of COVID-19, Iran’s new government will prioritise domestic and economic issues. The conservative administration of President Ibrahim Raisi is trying to bolster its legitimacy by demonstrating improved capacity and good governance through accelerated vaccine distribution, anti-corruption efforts and a strong focus on the ‘resistance economy’, boosting local output.

Impacts

• Iran will prioritise efforts to improve ties with Gulf Cooperation Council neighbours.
• Management of political and economic crises involving client Shia groups in Beirut and Baghdad will be a major focus.
• Nuclear monitoring disputes with the UN International Atomic Energy Agency will remain difficult to resolve.
• Inflation will likely rise further, given strained government finances.