Iran's leaders successfully weathered the hurricane, but the storm clouds seem to be perpetually gathering on the horizon. Citizens poured onto the streets around the country at the beginning of 2018 to protest a variety of issues that included their economic lot in particular, but also political and social problems. And while the surge of demonstrations has since ended, demands for reform continue to nag leaders in Tehran. This public pressure, which has affected Iran's unelected and elected institutions alike, has become pronounced enough that President Hassan Rouhani alluded last month to the possibility of a popular referendum to "heal" Iran's internal crisis. The referendum call highlighted the government's awareness of the importance of heeding the demands of citizens .