Obama sees Iran’s election of moderate as hopeful sign

TEHRAN,June 19(MNA) – President Barack Obama said on Monday that Iran’s election of a moderate as its next president is a sign that Iranians want to move in a different direction, Reuters reported. In an interview with public television anchor Charlie Rose, Obama said the United States and its allies would be willing to hold talks with Iran over its nuclear program, as long as Tehran recognized that international sanctions would not be lifted unless Iran proved it is not building a nuclear weapon. “As long as there’s an understanding about the basis of the conversation, then I think there’s no reason why we shouldn’t proceed,” Obama said. The surprise victory by Iran’s Hassan Rohani in weekend elections to succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president was seen by the United States as positive, at least at first glance. The interview was taped on Sunday and broadcast on Monday on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).