DUBAI — Hasan Rohani knew there was an element of risk. Just a week before Iran's election gatekeepers announced the presidential ballot, Rouhani said one-on-one talks with Washington are the only way for breakthroughs in the nuclear standoff, given that the United States — as he put it — is the world's “sheriff.” Such a public portrayal of America's importance and the need to make overtures to it undoubtedly rattled a few among Iran's ruling clerics, who decide which candidates are cleared to run. Yet they allowed Rohani to enter the race, and to the surprise of many, he surged to a runaway victory. Rohani's repeated emphasis on direct outreach to Washington may now have a chance for real traction among the ultimate decision-makers in Iran — the ruling clerics and the powerful Revolutionary Guard. They have long opposed bilateral talks, insisting they would do no good. But the lack of major blowback to Rohani's speech in mid-May signaled that the idea is no longer a taboo for the establishment, even if it is not yet entirely convinced. Another sign came from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who in March hinted he would not stand in the way. “We have disagreements with the US on regional and international matters, but obviously friendship or hostility with the world is not permanent,” Rohani told an audience at Tehran's Sharif University in his May address. “Every country can improve its relations with others.” Rohani was Iran's chief nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005 and he has said he is convinced he could have sealed a deal if Tehran had been talking directly to Washington at the time. Efforts are under way for a new, fourth round of the multilateral nuclear talks bringing together Iran and the US and other world powers. Earlier rounds have brought no headway. It's far too early to gain anything more than hints from Iran on whether Rohani's election this month could shift tactics in nuclear negotiations. Rohani does not formally take office until August. Washington has said it appreciates Rohani's appeals for more engagement, but knows the meaningful decisions are made higher up by Iran's theocracy. Moreover, Rohani has made clear he has the same red lines as the ruling clerics: He said in his first post-victory news conference that Iran will never surrender its ability to enrich uranium — the central issue of the disputes. Still, the next chief nuclear envoy on the Iranian side is almost certain to side closer to Rohani's view that seeking one-on-one talks with Washington is a worthy pursuit. It's widely expected that hard-liner Saeed Jalili — who finished a distant third behind Rohani in the June 14 election — will be sent packing by the ruling clerics to avoid internal tensions. It may be weeks before a shortlist for successors is known. But some possible names mentioned include former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati, who finished next-to-last in the presidential race; Mohammad Javad Zarif, a former envoy to the UN, and Amir Hossein Zamaninia, a former member of Iran's negotiating team. No dates have been proposed to possibly resume talks between Iran and a six-nation bloc, the permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany. The four previous rounds since last year have foundered on a central deadlock: The US and others insist Iran sharply scales back its uranium enrichment as a first step, while Iran says the West should ease sanctions as an opening offer. — AP
