Obama says Iran must halt its nuclear program

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama held out the "possibility of change" in US-Iran ties, but his administration insisted Tehran halt its sensitive nuclear work.

"We are excited to see what appears to be a robust debate taking place in Iran," Obama told reporters amid conflicting claims over who has won Friday's election.

"And obviously after the speech that I made in Cairo, we tried to send a clear message that we think there's the possibility of change, and, you know, ultimately the election is for the Iranians to decide.

"But just as has been true in Lebanon, what can be true in Iran as well, is that you're seeing people looking at new possibilities."