UN chief intends to remain engaged with Iran and president-elect
A press release published by the office of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday read, “The secretary general has been closely following the eleventh presidential election in Iran held on 14 June and notes with satisfaction the reported high turnout. He extends his warm congratulations to Mr. Hassan Rohani, the confirmed winner.
“The secretary general intends to remain engaged with the Iranian authorities and with the president-elect on issues of importance to the international community and the welfare of the Iranian people. He will continue encouraging Iran to play a constructive role in regional and international affairs.”
U.S. respects election results
The White House said in a statement on Saturday, “We respect the vote of the Iranian people and congratulate them for their participation in the political process, and their courage in making their voices heard.”
“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. 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 program.”
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also lauded the Iranian people on Saturday and added, “President-elect Rohani 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,” AP reported.
Ashton remains firmly committed to working with Rohani
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who chairs the nuclear talks between Iran and major powers, said on Sunday that voters had given Rohani “a strong mandate,” according to Reuters.
“I remain firmly committed to working with the new Iranian leadership towards a swift diplomatic solution of the nuclear issue,” she added.
Russia keen to expand ties with Iran
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that he was confident Rohani’s work as Iran’s president “will contribute to the prosperity of friendly Iran and further strengthening of Russian-Iranian relations,” Ria Novosti reported.
“The Russian president also confirmed readiness for consistent development of mutually advantageous cooperation with Iran in very diverse fields in the interests of ensuring regional security and international stability,” the Kremlin press office said.
Germany welcomes Rohani's election as vote for ‘constructive foreign policy’
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Sunday welcomed Rohani's election as a vote for reforms and "a constructive foreign policy."
Westerwelle urged Rohani to fulfill his election campaign promise to respect human rights.
"I trust that he will exercise his responsibility with the sense of prudence and hope, which he had promised in his campaign," the dpa quoted Westerwelle as saying.
Britain calls on Rohani to set Iran on a different course
Britain called on Rohani on Saturday “to set Iran on a different course for the future: addressing international concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, taking forward a constructive relationship with the international community, and improving the political and human rights situation for the people of Iran,” Reuters reported.
French ready to work with new president
Also, according to AFP, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Paris was "ready to work" with Rowhani, and said the nuclear program and its involvement in the Syrian conflict would be high on the agenda.
Nasrallah congratulates Rohani
According to Daily Star, Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah congratulated the Iranian president-elect on Sunday, saying, “As we congratulate you and ourselves, too, on this decent and wonderful election, we turn to God Almighty… to bless you and support you and make you able, through a government of hope, to achieve all the hopes.”
“We in Hezbollah-Lebanon, and with us all the Mujahideen [fighters] and this resistance country, offer our blessing on the occasion of winning deservedly the confidence of the great nation,” Nasrallah added.
Afghanistan seeking increased ties with Iran
Afghan President Hamid Karzai sent a message to Rohani on Saturday, expressing hope that relations between the two countries would be increased under the new Iranian administration, Iranian media reported.
Baghdad would continue to deal with Iran
In addition, a spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki congratulated Rohani and said that Baghdad would deal with Iran “regardless of who is president and whatever the choice of the Iranian people,” Reuters reported.
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