WASHINGTON: The United States and other nations voiced hope yesterday for better engagement with Iran after the election of a new moderate president, but Israel said he was not in charge of the nuclear issue.
Moderate cleric Hassan Rowhani, 64, was declared Iran’s new president, ending eight years of conservative grip on the top office in a victory cheered in the streets in Tehran and cautiously welcomed by world powers.
“Iran’s nuclear programme has so far been determined by (Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei, and not by Iran’s president,” the Israeli foreign ministry said.
“After the election, Iran will continue to be judged by its acts, in the nuclear field as well as that of terrorism,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Iran must conform to the demands of the international community and stop its nuclear programme and cease spreading terrorism in the world.” The West suspects Iran’s atomic programme is aimed at building nuclear weapons, but Iran insists it is for peaceful purposes like generating energy.
The United States, meanwhile, said it is prepared to engage Iran directly over its disputed nuclear programme following Rowhani’s victory. The White House said such engagement would be aimed at reaching a “diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme.”
“The United States remains ready to engage the Iranian government directly in order to reach a diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme,” it added.
Rowhani has previously vowed to restore diplomatic ties with the US, which cut relations in the aftermath of the 1979 seizure of the US embassy by Islamist students.
France, too, said it was “ready to work” with Rowhani. “The expectations of the international community with regard to Iran are significant, especially about its nuclear programme and its involvement in Syria,” Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.
Britain urged Rowhani to set the Islamic republic “on a different course”.
Israel reacted by saying it was Khamenei who decides on nuclear policy, not the president. The Jewish state has not ruled out a military strike to prevent Iran developing an atomic bomb.
The key opposition Syrian National Coalition called on Rowhani to review support for the Syrian regime. It urged him to “rectify the mistakes made by the Iranian leadership”, referring to Tehran’s staunch backing for President Bashar Al Assad.
Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said Italy hoped to launch a “relationship of renewed comprehension and constructive dialogue” with Iran after the election of its new president.
“Italy trusts that, with the new government of Iranian President (Hassan) Rowhani, it will be possible to work at developing bilateral relations and begin without delay a season of renewed comprehension and constructive dialogue between Iran and the international community,” she said.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands took to the streets of Tehran to celebrate Rowhani’s win. Thousands of cars honked their horns throughout the capital, and many people were dressed in purple, Rowhani’s campaign colour. Some even handed out purple balloons to the crowd.
“I see happiness in the city after eight years. I see it on the faces of my people,” said Sahar, 27, a pro-reform university student as she marched with a crowd in the centre of the city. “We said no to commander, we said no to mayor, (we chose) the courageous Rowhani,” people chanted.
“Tonight we rejoice as there is once more hope in Iran,” Ashkan, 31, said shouting as honking motorbikes drove by. AFP
