DESPITE the upbeat about Hassan Rowhani’s victory in the Iranian presidential elections, it is far from certain that the new president will change course on key issues that has complicated Iran’s regional and international standing. The new president faces a number of challenges that he must contend with in a convenient fashion. The economy is dwindling; Iran’s allies’ problems cannot be more devastating and the nuclear program is an open battle with the West.

Last week, Rowhani was sworn in as a new president in an inauguration ceremony. While all eyes were focused on him, he pledged moderation and transparency. He explicitly urged the West to deal with Iran with respect instead of sanctions should it seek the right response from Iran. In his speech before the Parliament, he said, “People have voted for moderation… People want change… People want to live better, to have dignity as well as a stable life. They also want to recapture their deserving position among nations.”

Clear as it may be, his speech left a lot to be desired. It is not clear whether the new president has learned form his predecessor’s mistakes or whether he really presents a new course. To call his bluff, the United States extended what may be an olive branch to him. The American administration commended the Iranian people’s message for change. “We note that President Rowhani recognized his election represented a call by the Iranian people for change, and we hope the new Iranian government will heed the will of the voters by making choices that will lead to a better life for the Iranian people,” the White House said.

And yet, the American administration is holding off on substantive steps until Rowhani take steps to assure the American administration about the nuclear program. For Washington, the ball is in Iran’s court. Among the key issues that have complicated Iran’s external relations is the standoff with the West over the nuclear program.

Interestingly, the US Congress has just passed a more stinging sanction package against Iran. If this bill is to be adopted by the administration, the new sanction package will bring down Iran’s oil exports next to zero. While the Senate is yet to approve the bill, the administration is not keen on this move right now. The White House seeks to know whether Iran is ready to start serious negotiations on the thorniest issue.

There is a sense of urgency here. The United State cannot wait forever on the nuclear dispute. Since Rowhani was elected some nine weeks ago, Tehran has managed to install some 7,000 new centrifuges. According to data released by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Tehran is several months away from acquiring nuclear weapon capacity.

Judging from statements made by Rowhani, it appears that the new president is aware of the consequences of a deadlock in negotiations with the West. In his first press conference, he made it perfectly clear that he was ready for serious and swift talks over the nuclear issue. There is a hope that Rowhani will demonstrate his capability of striking a more conciliatory tone in his negotiations with the great powers, as the previous rounds of talks failed to make any important headway.

Whether Iran is opting for a change of tone while keeping the same policy is not clear yet. If the change in presidency would not entail a change in foreign policy, then the great powers may realize that Iran has opted for strategic deception. In fact, there are those who argue that the victory of Rowhani was orchestrated by the supreme leader only to buy time so that Tehran can finalize its nuclear program and present it as a fait accompli. Therefore, the new president, the argument goes, is most likely not to negotiate in good faith.

Like the rest of Iranian elected president, Rowhani may find it hard to affect change unless the supreme leader is on board. Thus far, the supreme leader is one of the most intransigent Iranian decision makers. He may continue business as usual, but he needs to remember that for the American administration, when all else fail, the military option is not off the table.