TEHRAN, Aug 4: New President Hassan Rouhani told the West after taking the oath of office on Sunday that the only way to interact with Iran was through dialogue, not sanctions.

The 64-year-old cleric took over from Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose policies in two turbulent four-year terms left Iran divided domestically, isolated internationally and struggling economically.

The West is hoping that Mr Rouhani will take a more constructive approach in long-running talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme.

“The only path to interact with Iran is through negotiations on equal grounds, reciprocal trust-building, mutual respect and reducing hostilities,” Mr Rouhani said in a speech after being sworn in before parliament.

“If you want a proper answer, do not speak with Iran with the language of sanctions but with the language of respect,” he said, adding Iran would “not surrender to sanctions, nor be threatened with war”.

He was referring to years of unsuccessful negotiations with the so-called P5+1 group of the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany over Iran’s nuclear activities.

Washington was quick to respond, saying Iran would find the United States a “willing partner” if Rouhani was serious.

“Should this new government choose to engage substantively and seriously to meet its international obligations and find a peaceful solution to this issue, it will find a willing partner in the United States,” the White House said in a statement.

In Tehran, Mr Rouhani said his goal was to improve the livelihood of ordinary Iranians whom he acknowledged were under “a lot of economic pressure” because of tough US and EU sanctions over Iran’s refusal to stop uranium enrichment.

“The people want to live better, to have dignity and to enjoy a stable life. They want to regain their deserved position among nations,” said Mr Rouhani, who has promised to stick to the path of moderation.

He said his government would take the path of detente, “creating mutual trust and constructive interaction. I say this frankly that Iran has never been bent on war with the world”.

His remarks contrasted starkly with Mr Ahmadinejad, whose anti-Israel diatribe and provocative rhetoric sparked repeated global condemnation.

Mr Rouhani formally took office on Saturday at another ceremony in which he received the endorsement of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all key state affairs, including the nuclear issue.

Considered a regime insider for his service record since the Islamic republic’s inception in 1979, Mr Rouhani said in a speech on Saturday that he would work to lift “the oppressive sanctions”.

The measures have crippled Iran's once lucrative oil sector, cut its access to global banking, and contributed to soaring inflation and a shrinking economy. —AFP