The election of Hassan Rouhani is undoubtedly a victory for the two reformist ex-presidents, Hashemi Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami. The outcome of this election is expected to ease anxieties among the Iranian people — especially the youth — and possibly reduce some tensions in the region.

While some of the major issues and policies remain in the realm of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s authority, the overall outcome of the elections provides an opportunity to improve relations with the international community.

Although this can be considered for the moment a tentative impression, Rouhani's election has to be generally considered a positive development. Of course, while the welcome of many western countries will be tepid, the chance for future improvement is now within the realm of possibility.

Israel’s hard-line policy will definitely no longer be an exclusive determining factor for the approach by the United States and other western countries to the Iranian nuclear facility moving forward. This immediate evaluation, while hopeful, must await developments in the next few months.