Topic: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

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How the world is reacting to Obama's reelection

From China to Iran, President Obama's reelection elicited everything from celebration to doubt about his second-term agenda. Here are 11 responses:

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Opinion US must not miss new opportunity to engage with Iran

For 30 years, the US and Iran have squandered engagement opportunities. President Obama – especially as US officials meet with allies in Brussels today to discuss next steps in nuclear negotiations with Tehran – should avoid a redux with Iran’s President-elect Hassan Rouhani.
Why Iran looks set to lighten up under Rohani

President-elect Rohani has been getting pushback from hardliners for his moderate stands. But he has backing in powerful corners.
Iran, Shiites' protector - sometimes

Iran sees itself as a key defender of Shiites in other countries, but only when strategically helpful.
Focus Iran's 'diplomat sheikh' brings new tone to nuclear talks

New Iranian President Hassan Rohani showed flexibility and a willingness to compromise when he was the country's top nuclear negotiator years ago.
Focus Iranian expectations soar after Rohani's election

The surprise election of Hassan Rohani has Iranians hoping for more freedom less confrontation, but the centrist cleric faces obstacles that could derail change.
Focus Hassan Rohani: What it means to be a centrist in Iran

Iranian President-elect Hassan Rohani has the insider credentials needed for regime credibility and the reformist tendencies that could allow him to heal the rift with the US.
Rohani vows to reset Iran's relations with the world

Iran's President-elect Hassan Rohani said his win was a 'victory for moderation' and vowed to soothe tensions with the US and factions inside Iran.
The Monitor's View Iran election's surprise winner

The unexpected victory of Hassan Rohani In Iran's presidential election confirms his hint that legitimacy lies with the people, not the turbaned cleric elite.
Hassan Rohani is Iran's next president. What will change?

Political moderate Hassan Rohani defeated a host of conservative challengers to win Iran's presidency. His style is a sharp contrast with that of outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Iran's supreme leader pushes Iranians to vote in defiance of US (+video)

Khamenei said that showing up at the polls to vote for a new president would defeat 'enemy' efforts to spread 'disappointment and pessimism.' Officials see turnout as key to government's legitimacy.
Opinion Could today's Iran election be a 1975 turning point?

It’s difficult to predict how Iranians will react to this election. The peeling back of even the veneer of political choice and change may be the last straw for Iranians and eventually lead to another uprising, just as the shah’s 1975 scrapping of political parties helped spur the 1979 revolution.
Global Viewpoint Why boycotting Iran’s presidential election is an act of integrity

In reality, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will decide Iran's presidential election. That is why actively boycotting this election would be an act to regain dignity as well as be a mass, nonviolent uprising that could end a regime that prolongs its existence by moving Iran from crisis to crisis.
On eve of presidential vote, Iranian officials keep wary eye on US (+video)

The unexpectedly strong showing by a moderate cleric has generated last-minute buzz about Iran's vote tomorrow. But officials are more concerned about US attempts at 'sedition.'
Iran votes: Why the Supreme Leader is so desperate to bring out voters

Suffering from a legitimacy crisis after the fraud-tainted, heavily protested 2009 vote, Iran feels immense pressure to demonstrate that people have regained faith in their political system.
Stalled nuclear talks fuel sharp exchange at Iran's final presidential debate

At a fiery final debate before June 14 elections, Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator and a leading candidate, was challenged over 'missed opportunities.'
Iran hangs spies it says worked for US, Israel

Iran hangs spies: Two Iranian men were executed Sunday, convicted of working for the CIA and Israel's Mossad spy agency.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator: we're being asked to make all the sacrifices

Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator and a contender in the June presidential election, sat down with the Monitor to share his views about an 'unbalanced' nuclear offer made by world powers.
Iran's presidential race: 'Wild card' entry creates dilemma for Khamenei

Controversial candidates like former President Rafsanjani could draw high voter turnout, but may challenge the supreme leader's ability to control the process of replacing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Ahmadinejad charges? Iranian president cited over election filing appearance

Ahmadinejad charges? The dispute appears to stem from an ongoing confrontation between Ahmadinejad and the ruling clerics in Iran following years of tensions over power struggles.
Israeli airstrike in Syria brings Iran onstage, raising risk of proxy war

Iran dismissed Israeli claims that yesterday's airstrike in Syria targeted Iranian weapons destined for Hezbollah, accusing Israel of looking for an excuse to hammer the 'Axis of Resistance.'
Chorus grows against Obama administration's sanctions-heavy Iran policy

The Obama administration's effort to end Iran's nuclear program has focused on punitive measures, with little diplomatic outreach. Critics say this jeopardizes negotiations.
Iran's Khamenei condemns Boston Marathon attacks, but takes jab at US policies

Iran's supreme leader was emphatic in his condemnation of the Boston Marathon attacks, but criticized the US for decrying attacks on its own civilians while carrying out drone strikes elsewhere.
Iran earthquake kills 37, shakes nuclear power plant

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Iran struck near the Bushehr power plant, but company officials report no damage. The Iran earthquake was felt in countries across the Persian Gulf.
Opinion Iran nuclear talks: Citizen diplomacy would build trust

As the next round of nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers begins today in Almaty, Kazakhstan, both Iran and the United States should encourage their citizens – clerics, scientists, athletes, doctors, artists, businessmen, and teachers – to meet and work together.
World powers expect Iran to be ready for progress at next nuclear talks

World powers say that Iran has signaled it is ready to 'engage seriously' on a proposal to limit its nuclear development at P5+1 talks that begin tomorrow in Kazakhstan.