President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that he welcomed the victory of president-elect Barack Obama earlier this week.

Ahmadinejad congratulated Obama, which was the first time since 1979 that an Iranian leader presented an official message of goodwill to America’s (new) leader.

The main reason for Iran’s merry reaction is Obama’s earlier promise that he would like to talk with Tehran without any preconditions. This would be a major change in U.S. policy towards the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In a message carried on official news agency Irna, Mr Ahmadinejad said: “I congratulate you on being able to attract the majority of votes of the participants of the election.”

“As you know the opportunities provided by the Almighty God, which can be used for elevation of nations, or God forbid, for their collapse, are transient,” the message continued.

“I hope you will prefer real public interests and justice to the never-ending demands of a selfish minority and seize the opportunity to serve people so that you will be remembered with high esteem.”

He continued: “Other nations also expect war-oriented policies, occupation, bullying, contempt of nations and imposing discriminatory policies on them to be replaced by the ones advocating justice, respect for human rights, friendship and non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.

“They also want US intervention to be limited to its [own] borders, especially in the Middle East. It is highly expected to reverse the unfair attitude towards restoring the rights of the Palestinians, Iraqis and Afghans.

“The great nation of Iran welcomes basic and fair changes in US policies and conducts, especially in the region,” President Ahmadinejad said.

Whether the historic message will pay off for Iran remains to be seen. What is clear at this point in time, is that quite some regimes in the Middle East are very happy with Obama’s victory, because they expect Obama to be far more conciliatory than George W. Bush was and than John McCain would have been.

Of course this does not necessarily say anything about the policies Obama will pursue; it only tells us something about what Iran (and countries like it) think and / or hope Obama will do as president.