MSNBC: TEHRAN,Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has congratulated Barak Obama on his election win — the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Ahmadinejad sent a message to Obama in which he congratulated the Democrat on "attracting the majority of voters in the election."
The text of the note was carried by the official IRNA news agency on Thursday.
Other reactions from Iran:
Despite Dashdi’s optimistic view of the United States’ election of Barack Obama, the Democratic winner has largely been viewed here as the lesser of two evils.
Early on Wednesday, prominent Iranian MP Hamid Reza Haji Babai said the Democrat’s victory presented an "opportunity and a test," with Iran now "waiting for that change" that Obama based his campaign on.
"In the past eight years, (President George W.) Bush had created a bad atmosphere against the United States in the world with his militarism and this financial crisis," said Haji Babai.
"The election of McCain would have worsened this atmosphere," he said.
Back on the streets of Tehran, housewife Roya Amini said "Obama seems like he is different, but you never know with America what they might do."
‘This will weaken radicals in Iran’
Meantime, some are hoping to close a chapter in the hostile history between Tehran and Washington and open a new one based on discussions rather than threats.
""If Obama delivers his promises (about opening dialogue with Iran), this will weaken radicals in Iran and no-one will buy the radical and extremist slogans anymore," said political analyst Saeed Laylaz, referring to the frequent anti-American remarks of outspoken President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The nuclear stand-off could also be resolved through dialogue he said, as "that will bring security."
However, some saw Obama’s election as a threat rather than a chance for improved relations.
