Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wins re-election

“I do respect my political opposition,” he said.

The election, he said, revealed the country’s unity and was not an “opening for the deepening” of divides. Prevailing after the vote, he said, were the Islamic faith, freedom, independence and national self-reliance.

“No one can think of dividing us along ethnic tribal, economic or geographical lines,” he said.

‘A very happy day’

The victory reverberated in seats of power across the globe, on the Iranian streets and at the highest level of Iranian power. Among the first world leaders to issue congratulations to Rouhani were Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, communicating in a series of tweets, lauded the “high turnout” and called it “glorious and historic” for Iranian elections.

“A new record was set,” he said, referring to presidential election turnout, and noted that the result “showed increasing progress of Iranian nation.”

The victor of the elections were the Iranian people and the Islamic Republic establishment, “who despite enemy’s efforts won the great nation’s trust,” Khamenei said.

“I voted for Mr. Rouhani,” said Mostafa, a voter in Tehran who spoke to CNN. “And I am proud of him because he showed all of the world we are a good country. Our goal is peace for our world. And I am proud of my President.”

Engaging with the world

The agreement has been controversial in both the United States and Iran, and it emerged as a top campaign issue, with the election seen in part as a referendum on the deal.

Raisi — who got 38% of the vote — had been widely seen as Khamenei’s preferred candidate. But Rouhani had history and hope on his side. No sitting president has failed to win a second term since 1981.

Rouhani’s engagement with the outside world — in spite of economic sanctions and visa restrictions — resonated with voters, especially those in affluent areas.

Nuclear deal at issue

In exchange, the United States and the European Union would lift sanctions that have crippled the country’s economy.

Rouhani has had a tough time defending the agreement, and his opponents have accused him of not making good on his promises.

He billed the deal as one that would thrust open the gates of economic opportunity, bring the country out of its isolation, and create millions of jobs for Iranians. The agreement has brought a string of billion-dollar deals with Western firms for airplanes and oil exploration in Iran.

But the benefits have been largely limited by a fall in global oil prices and US President Donald Trump’s election, which introduced uncertainty for investors.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to rip up the nuclear deal.

For the average Iranian, the results so far have been lackluster, and Raisi repeatedly accused Rouhani of sacrificing Iran’s sovereignty for a fool’s bargain.

The Saudis and other Gulf states hope Trump will take a harder line on Iran than his predecessor, President Barack Obama.

Putin, Assad send congratulations

Gulf states have been backing anti-government rebels.

Russia has been allied with Iran on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Its President, Vladimir Putin, sent a congratulatory telegram to Rouhani, the Kremlin said on its website.

“The Russian President also expressed confidence in the further successful implementation of the agreements, including those achieved during Hassan Rouhani’s recent official visit to Russia, in the interests of the friendly peoples of the two countries, in the framework of efforts to maintain stability and security in the Middle East and the world generally,” the Kremlin statement said.