Rouhani: Iran could open talks with U.S. if it quits bullying, respects nuclear rights

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(CNN) -- Iran's centrist president-elect expressed a willingness to open dialogue with the United States, which it hasn't had diplomatic relations with in decades, but only if the United States recognizes Iran's right to a nuclear program.
Hassan Rouhani, who won the presidency over the weekend, said in his first news conference Monday, however, that the Islamic republic has no intention of ending its uranium-enrichment program. The program is a major impetus for the international sanctions against Iran.
Calling relations between the U.S. and Iran an "old wound" and "complicated," Rouhani said that before there are talks, the U.S. must first promise to never interfere with Iranian domestic affairs and scrap its "unilateral" and "bullying policies."
"Wisdom tells us both countries, both nations need to think more about the future and try to sit down and find solutions to past issues and rectify things," he said. "The rights of the Iranian nation, including nuclear rights, need to be recognized."

"We are prepared to see tensions alleviated," he added, noting that any talks "should be based on mutual respect and interest and equal footing."
In opening his news conference, Rouhani, 65, said repairing Iran's economy and engaging in more dialogue -- both at home and abroad -- will be his administration's top priorities.
Dialogue and the economy are related, as Iran faces sharp international sanctions over its nuclear program, but Rouhani said he foresees a "fresh opportunity for interaction at the global level."
Mutual trust and transparency are key to the international community lifting sanctions, which he called "brutal, and the people of Iran have done nothing wrong to deserve sanctions."
"Making use of the lever of sanctions, this is not the right time for that. ... Even in the West, they are facing economic problems and dilemmas, and they themselves know the sanctions are to the detriment of the West," Rouhani said, adding that Israel was the only country benefiting from them. "We can make it clear to the whole world that the measures and activities of the Islamic republic are totally within international regulations and mechanisms."Rouhani did not elaborate on how he would make the country's nuclear program more transparent, but he insisted that the Iranian nuclear program was lawful. He also voiced opposition to international "meddling" in domestic affairs.
While Rouhani encouraged Iran to act with "unity and solidarity" as it transitions to his promised moderate rule in coming weeks, he said his primary goals will be "acting in line with salvaging the country's economy, reviving morality and constructive interaction with the world."

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[url]http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/17/world/meast/iran-rouhani-news-conference/?hpt=hp_t1[/url]