Despite having reservations on the transparency of the electoral process, the United States said it is ready to engage directly with the Iranian Government led by its newly elected President moderate Hassan Rowhani with the hope that the new leader will honour international obligations.
“We, along with our international partners, remain ready to engage directly with the Iranian government. We hope they will honour their international obligations to the rest of the world in order to reach a diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program,” Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday.
Both Kerry and the White House issued similar statements after Iran’s Interior Ministry declared moderate cleric Rowhani winner of the country’s 11th presidential election.
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Kerry reminded Rowhani of his electoral promises.
“President-elect Rowhani pledged repeatedly during his campaign to restore and expand freedoms for all Iranians. In the months ahead, he has the opportunity to keep his promises to the Iranian people,” he said.
“It is our hope that the Iranian government will heed the will of the Iranian people and make responsible choices that create a better future for all Iranians,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said.
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“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,” he added.
Kerry and the White House admired the courage of the Iranian people despite the fact that it lacked transparency.
“We admire the courage of the Iranian people who went to the polls and made their voices heard in a rigidly controlled environment that sought to limit freedom of expression and assembly,” Kerry said.
“We remain concerned about the lack of transparency in the electoral process, and the attempts to censor members of the media, the internet, and text messages. Despite these challenges, however, the Iranian people have clearly expressed their desire for a new and better future,” he said.
The White House said it respects the vote of the Iranian people and congratulate them for their participation in the political process, and their courage in making their voices heard.