WASHINGTON (AP) — Always scrutinized, Iran now will be under even greater watch as the U.S. looks for signals the Islamic Republic’s new president is serious and powerful enough to pursue detente with Washington and an end to the painful economic penalties imposed over its nuclear program.

A burst of euphoria followed news of Friday’s telephone conversation between President Barack Obama and Iran’s Hassan Rouhani, and the first top-level contact between the countries in 34 years led to talk of a historic breakthrough in relations.