Iran’s outreach to the West does not mark a radical shift in its ideologies and principles, analysts say.
The extent of Rouhani’s relative freedom in foreign policy is confined to nuclear negotiations with major world powers.
In an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month, Rouhani touted Tehran’s openness to normalizing relations with the West.
His pledges came after a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in November, under which Tehran agreed to curb parts of its atomic drive for six months in exchange for modest relief from international sanctions.
And that, say experts, is about as far as Rouhani can go in his molding of a more user-friendly face for the Islamic republic.
Rouhani’s government has very limited margin in its diplomacy, said a Tehran-based Western diplomat.
“It is in charge of nuclear talks, but it does not decide on the key issues of nuclear policy,” said the diplomat.
In the past few months, the conservative-dominated parliament has frequently summoned Zarif and other ministers on a variety of issues, including the meetings between Zarif and Kerry.