The killing of a prominent Iranian commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in a U.S. drone strike has provoked a crisis in Iran and escalated tensions between Teheran and Washington.
But even before Soleimani’s assassination, Iran’s position in the region was vulnerable, says Valentine Moghadam, a professor of sociology and international affairs at Northeastern.
Surrounded by U.S. military bases, the country is besieged, both internationally and immediately, and its economy badly affected by sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies. Consequently, Iran is suffering from negative economic growth, inflation, and high unemployment—the effects of which are felt by its citizens.
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