Experts: Rowhani No Moderate

Iran-watchers warn against thinking new Iranian president will tamp down regime’s nuclear ambitions

Former government officials and experts say that newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rowhani is not the moderate he appears to be.

Cleric Rowhani is already being hailed in the media as a progressive reformer. He surprised Iran observers across the globe on Saturday by securing a definitive win in the country’s closely watched election.

He was quickly dubbed a moderate maverick who could bring Tehran closer to reticent Western leaders who remain concerned about Iran’s clandestine nuclear weapons program.

Yet Rowhani, who served for years as Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, is expected to present a friendly face to the world as Tehran’s military leaders quietly fulfill their nuclear ambitions, experts said.