Just a few weeks ago, most commentators in Iran and abroad were united in their belief that the Iranian elections would produce no real surprises. Rouhani’s election was greeted with cautious optimism. His success is based on several factors. These include his reformist rhetoric that united with the cohesive support of the reform camp and the associated desire for change amongst the public. He was also able to benefit from internal and external factors for which Ahmadinejad was blamed.