Iran: Newly-inducted Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has said that Iran’s nuclear program is "peaceful". He dismissed the policy of pressure and sanctions, expressing that it will not cause the Iranian citizen to give up their legal rights.

According to the decree by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran forbids nuclear weapons and this weapon has no place in Tehran's defence strategy. Iran supports and welcomes any diplomatic proposal for the lift of sanctions, he said. He also noted that "the most important and main priority of his foreign policy is to improve relations with neighboring countries". "I extend my hand of friendship and brotherhood to all the countries of the region, particularly to the neighbours," he said.

Raisi was elected as the country's eighth President on June 18 and formally assumed office after the Supreme Leader's decree on Tuesday. During his swearing-in ceremony, which was broadcast live on the state TV, Raisi also vowed to protect the borders and political, economic and cultural independence of Iran. Iranian lawmakers and guests from more than 70 countries attended the ceremony.

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