Iran President Rohani takes oath of office
Hassan Rohani expected to name cabinet later on Sunday; quoted as saying US seeking excuse to confront 'countries they don't consider as friends' during meeting with North Korean official
Iranian President Hassan Rohani took the oath of office before parliament in Tehran on Sunday and is expected to name his cabinet later in the day which he says will be chosen from figures across the political spectrum.
Rohani, a relatively moderate cleric, pledged to uphold the constitution and protect the official religion of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a ceremony broadcast live on state television.
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Earlier, Iranian state TV quoted the new president as saying that the United States is seeking an excuse to confront Iran over its nuclear program.
The late Saturday report says the remarks by Hassan Rohani came during his meeting with North Korean official Kim Yong Nam, who is in Tehran for Rohani's Sunday inauguration.
"We believe the United States and the Westerners are seeking an excuse to confront the countries that they do not consider friends," Rohani was quoted as saying.
Rohani formally took office on Saturday at a ceremony in which he received the endorsement of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who retains the final say on all strategic issues, including the nuclear talks.
Ten heads of state from around the region were due to attend Sunday's parliamentary session, set to start from 1130 GMT, Iranian reports said.
Also present will be former EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who has represented world powers in nuclear talks with Tehran in the past.
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