Iran’s Rowhani looks to detente with the world

TEHRAN - Agence France-Presse

President Hassan Rowhani says his victory opened a new path for Iran.

Moderate president-elect Hassan Rowhani said June 29 his victory opened a new path for Iran to engage constructively with the international community and ease tensions raised by Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. “Moderation in foreign policy means neither surrender nor confrontation but constructive and efficacious interaction with the world,” Rowhani said in his first live televised speech since being elected on June 14 to succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran is at odds with world powers over its controversial nuclear ambitions, which the West and Israel suspect have military objectives, and its support for the embattled regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Rowhani, who thrashed his conservative opponents by winning almost 51 percent of votes, did not mention either issue directly. But he did say he would move to ease tensions after he formally takes office on August 3. Under his administration, “interaction and dialogue will be based on reciprocity, respect and mutual interest, and seeking mutual detente,” Rowhani said.

His tone contrasted with Ahmadinejad’s eight years as president, which were marked by fiery, contentious remarks on a wide range of international issues.