REFORMIST Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his conservative opponents are in a tug of war over post-sanctions policy.

The reformists are pushing for ever wider dealings with the west, while the conservatives are warning against relying on the US and Europe.

The debate in Iran coincides with an intensification of anti-Iran rhetoric in the US presidential campaign, suggesting that the next eight months may see Iran becoming a hot political issue ahead of the November US presidential election.

Iran