Hassan Rowhani was sworn in as Iran’s president on Sunday. Rowhani, 64, is a moderate reformist cleric.

Iran's new president Hassan Rowhani (Photo: nation.com.pk/VNA)

He said in a speech following his oath that his goal in this term is to improve the lives of ordinary Iranians and to break down the isolation imposed on Iran by the West’s sanctions. Rowhani said the only way for the international community to interact with Tehran on its controversial nuclear program is through dialogue on equal grounds, reciprocal trust-building, mutual respect and reduced hostilities. He added that Iran will not give in to sanctions or threats of war.