(By NASSER KARIMI, Associated Press Writer) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday congratulated Barack Obama on his election win - the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Ahmadinejad sent a message to Obama in which he congratulated the Democrat on "attracting the majority of voters in the election." The text of the note was carried by the official IRNA news agency. In the message, Ahmadinejad also said he hopes Obama will "use the opportunity to serve the (American) people and leave a good name for history" during his term in office. Obama has said he is open to direct diplomacy with Iranian leaders as a way to break the impasse between the two countries or give the U.S. more credibility to press for tougher sanctions if talks on its nuclear program fail. His policy marks a departure from that of the Bush administration, which has refused to engage Iranian leaders. Iran and U.S. have no formal diplomatic relations since 1979 and the hostage drama when militant Iranian students held 52 Americans captive 444 days. Current U.S.-Iranian relations remain tense, with Washington accusing Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons and of providing support for Shiite militants who are killing U.S. soldiers in Iraq - charges Iran denies. In Jerusalem, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, a contender for prime minister in her country's elections, warn ...
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