Obama administration praises 'courageous' voters while recognizing Iran's presidential election results

Hasan Rowhani was declared Iran's new president yesterday, ending eight years of Ahmadinejad's conservative grip on the top job

The Obama administration has said it respected the results of the presidential election in Iran conducted under restrictive conditions.

Shortly after moderate cleric Hasan Rowhani was declared the winner, White House spokesman Jay Carney congratulated Iranians for their courage in voting.

According to Fox News, he said Iranians were determined to make their voices heard, despite the limitations the ruling government imposed on the political process.

In a statement, Carney said the election took place against the backdrop of a lack of transparency, censorship of the media, Internet, and text messages, and an intimidating security environment that limited freedom of expression and assembly.

He added that despite those obstacles, Iranians were determined to act to shape their future.

Carney said that the US hoped that Iran's new government will heed the will of the Iranian people and make responsible choices that create a better future for them.