Iran's New President Puts Obama in a Quandary

ALJAZEERA

Jasmin Ramsey

Washington, DC - Iran's new president Hassan Rouhani has declared his intention to follow "the path of moderation" in foreign affairs, posing a sharp dilemma for US President Barack Obama.

The surprise election victory this June by the pragmatic cleric, who was inaugurated as president on Sunday, has sparked renewed debate over the US administration's sanctions-focused policy for dealing with Tehran's nuclear programme.

Since Rouhani's election, the Obama administration has eased restrictions on the sale of medical supplies and agricultural products to Iran. But it has received conflicting policy advice from different quarters in Washington on whether to escalate sanctions or relaunch efforts at diplomacy.

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