Why Iran's hardliners won parliamentary elections

Synopsis

Hardline forces in Iran have achieved a significant victory in the parliamentary elections, marking their first success in seven years. This outcome is influenced by Donald Trump's maximum pressure strategy, which has weakened President Hassan Rouhani during his second and final term. The election results diminish the chances for reformers who hoped for a more open Iran. Analysts predict that this hardline victory will set the stage for the upcoming presidential elections. Voter turnout is low, reflecting widespread disillusionment among Iranians, many of whom feel that all politicians are the same. A 25-year-old voter, who previously supported Rouhani in 2017, expresses regret over his past optimism regarding the nuclear deal, stating he feels brainwashed. Economic hardships, exacerbated by Trump's sanctions, have led to a deep recession, with Iran losing over $200 billion in revenue. Inflation has surged to about 40%, and the Iranian rial has lost more than half its value in two years, yet shops remain stocked due to a diversified economy developed over decades of isolation since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.