Iran’s theocratic rulers have seen off a US military campaign but their real problems may be about to begin: managing the competing demands of hardliners buoyed by surviving the onslaught and those of an impoverished, angry people.

How this affects you

Tensions are rising in Iran as the ruling establishment navigates conflicting demands from hardliners, who want a tough stance against the US and rearming, and ordinary citizens, who are desperate for economic relief after years of sanctions and a destructive war. This internal pressure, coupled with the potential for renewed mass protests, poses a significant challenge to the stability of Iran's leadership following the end of the US military campaign.