Iran is claiming an "arc of influence" across the Middle East as it expands its business in the region, earning both "allies and enemies alike," The Wall Street Journal reported.

But expansion has also created economic strain amid nuclear sanctions as well as sectarian religious strife, the Journal noted.

Providing support on multiple fronts has cost Iran financially as it steps in to help Syria as well as Iraq. It continues to provide behind-the-scenes help with "allied proxies" and militia groups including Lebanon's Hezbollah, and Hamas in Palestinian territories, but more is being required as civil wars continue, governments remain unstable and as the growth of ISIS has shifted a protective focus, the Journal noted.

And with oil revenues falling off in the region, it is clear more resources are going out rather than coming in, leaving some to question how long such an equation can last, the Journal said, noting that "mounting commitments abroad further strain Iran's economy."

It added: "Beyond cost, Iran's involvement stokes sectarian tensions that deepen regional conflict: Its Shiite allies fight Sunnis who, in turn, feel threatened by Iran's growing influence. That has made Sunni regional powers Saudi Arabia and Turkey anxious, and may be fueling support for, or at least acquiescence to, Sunni extremism in both Iraq and Syria."

Noted Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran analyst with the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, to the Journal: "Iran is both the fire brigade and the arsonist."

Iran's economic woes may force it into accepting a nuclear deal that has been under negotiation for months, the Financial Times noted.

Previous sanctions have pushed it into poverty, the Times added, creating pressure on all of Iran's interests.

Peaceful demonstrations have been occurring and while not rising to the level of a "crisis," they underscore the weakness that may lead Iran to forge a nuclear deal sought by the West with President Hassan Rouhani's career hanging in the balance, the Nation noted.

"New tougher sanctions can completely paralyze Iran's fragile economy and jeopardize Rouhani's political career for good," wrote the Nation. "If the negotiations fail, Rouhani and the reformers could lose the 2017 presidential elections to the hardliners."

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