The Obama administration acknowledged possible irregularities in the outcome of the presidential election in Iraq in a statement to reporters on Saturday.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that President Obama is keeping a close watch on the situation in Iran, where incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has declared victory over former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi casting their ballots in yesterday's election.

"Like the rest of the world, we were impressed by the vigorous debate and enthusiasm that this election generated, particularly among young Iranians," Gibbs said in a statement. "We continue to monitor the entire situation closely, including reports of irregularities."

Mousavi has alleged that Ahmadinejad manipulated the vote tally in Iran to secure reelection.

Ahmadinejad, long a thorn in the side of the current and previous U.S. administration, was seen as the more conservative candidate, while Mousavi was seen as a more reformist, pro-Western candidate.