American journalist Nile Bowie's interview with Kourosh Ziabari

KouroshZiabariNile Bowie – After a turbulent eight-year tenure of outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the people of Iran have made their voices heard in recent presidential elections by electing a reformist who will undoubtedly take a very different approach to pressing national issues. Though many hoped to see meaningful diplomatic engagement between Iran and the United States when U.S. President Barack Obama came to office, ties between Tehran and Washington remain as tense as ever, with Iran subjected to a crippling economic sanctions regime over its disputed nuclear program.

Although leaders in Israel and the United States repetitively insist that Iran is edging closer to the threshold in being able to create a nuclear weapon, evidence shows that Tehran’s nuclear program is for civilian purposes. Despite conducting its nuclear activities within the framework of international law, average Iranian citizens are the main victims of punishing US-led sanctions that have destroyed the Iranian currency and made life-saving medications unaffordable for most. To discuss how Iran’s newly elected president will face the challenges and controversies that dominate the Iranian political landscape, Russia Today columnist Nile Bowie talks to award-winning journalist Kourosh Ziabari and explores the recent presidential elections in Iran, the signals it’s sending to the international community and the possible changes in Iran’s foreign and nuclear policy.