Trump just added fuel to unrest in Iran

US President Donald Trump holding up the proclamation declaring his intention to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement after signing it in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington on Tuesday. His deecision is sure to exacerbate Iran's
US President Donald Trump holding up the proclamation declaring his intention to withdraw from the Iran nuclear agreement after signing it in the Diplomatic Room at the White House in Washington on Tuesday. His deecision is sure to exacerbate Iran's economic crisis, promoting more political unrest, says the writer. PHOTO: REUTERS
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United States President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal signed with Teheran and the European powers doesn't just make it likelier that Iran, too, will abandon the treaty and renew its push to make a bomb.

It could also determine if the social unrest sweeping the Islamic republic deepens and further destabilises the regime. The government is facing perhaps its greatest opposition nationwide since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Mr Trump's decision will change how that story plays out in ways that will further destabilise the regime while giving conservatives more power for now.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 10, 2018, with the headline Trump just added fuel to unrest in Iran. Subscribe