In September 2013, Barack Obama and Hassan Rouhani, Iran's newly elected president, held a phone conversation, the first between the presidents of the respective countries in thirty years. Both had accordingly agreed to continue looking for solutions for an agreeable solution to Iran's nuclear crisis.
In Rouhani's campaign, he advocated for raising the economy and amending international relations, especially those battered by Iran's nuclear program. Rouhani had gained enough support to with 50.7% of the vote, while well ahead of the runner up. Rouhani promised to live up to his nickname "the diplomatic sheikh" referring to his role as Iran's nuclear negotiator. While Rouhani strives to make a deal in less than a year, he still will need the approval of the supreme leader Khamenei, who many believe will be less willing to compromise to reach a deal with the United States.
