Moderate cleric Rowhani is new president in Iran

Moderate cleric Hassan Rowhani is Iran’s new president, in a victory cheered in the streets and cautiously welcomed by world powers. On Saturday, the 64-year-old Rowhani is declared outright winner with 50.68 percent of votes cast in the June 14 polls. In his first statement after his win was confirmed, he calls on world powers to treat Iran with respect and recognize its rights, an apparent allusion to its controversial nuclear policy. Rowhani is a former top nuclear negotiator who championed more constructive engagement with world powers. The United States says it is prepared to engage Iran directly over its disputed nuclear program, adding it wants to reach a “diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.”The West suspects Iran’s nuclear program is aimed at building nuclear weapons, but Iran insists it is for peaceful purposes like generating energy. Rowhani campaigned for reinvigorating an economy badly hit by the European Union and US sanctions targeting the key oil and banking sectors because of its nuclear program. He also vowed to restore diplomatic ties with the US and end Iran’s international isolation. American and European officials say they want to test if Rowhani’s victory could pressure Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei into softening his position on the nuclear issue. Iran’s nuclear policy is believed to be under Khamenei’s control.

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