Hassan Rouhani has a lot of expectations to live up to, both in Iran and the rest of the world (creative commons)

Hassan Rouhani became the new moderate president after swearing oath at a ceremony. It was the first time the ceremony had been attended by foreign dignitaries and regional leaders. Rouhani had been formally endorsed by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, before swearing into office.

From Aljazeera: 

“Rouhani, a relatively moderate cleric who won the June 14 June 14 presidential election by a significant margin and ran on a platform that included a promise to follow a "path of moderation" in international affairs and to ease restrictions on Iranian civil liberties.

His election has raised hopes that Iran and the US can solve the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme. But Iran expert Hamid Dabashi said a change in approach is needed from the US, as well. "Already there are many indications that he will be drastically different. No flamboyant statements, no rash decisions, no regional or international belligerence, at least at the rhetorical level."

The U.S., after passing sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports, has been reported on Sunday to have prepared work with Rouhani’s new government over Iran’s nuclear program.

In order to meet up to expectations and pull Iran out of its consistently deteriorating living standards, Rouhani is expected to redefine the established relations with the West.

Rouhani’s election was a clear victory with voter turnout at 72.7 percent.

Reach Executive Producer Eric Parra here