DUBAI: Iranians "stood their ground bravely until that coward left", Hesameddin Ashena, an advisor to Iran's president, tweeted on Saturday, shortly after major networks declared Democrat Joe Biden winner of the U.S. presidential election. 

Relations between Iran and the United States have taken a turn for the worse since U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 pulled Washington out of Tehran's nuclear deal with six powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Tehran's economy.

The election of Biden could create an opportunity for new negotiations with Iran to resolve rows between the longtime foes, including Tehran’s nuclear program, as sanctions pile economic pressure on its theocratic leaders.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Catherine Evans) ((parisa.hafezi@thomsonreuters.com; +971 56 216 8363; Reuters Messaging: parisa.hafezi@thomsonreuters.com))