'Moderate' Iranian president Rouhani promises to enhance mutual trust with West

Newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has promised to reduce tensions with the West.

Rouhani has also promised to show more transparency on its nuclear front and bring moderation back to the forefront of Iranian politics.

According to the Guardian, Rouhani has presented himself as a moderate politician willing to enhance mutual trust between Tehran and the international community, including Britain and the US.

He has also promised to be the saviour of the Iranian economy by working to lift sanctions.

In his first press conference in Tehran, two days after being confirmed as the elected successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Rouhani made clear that his government will pursue a friendly relationship with all its neighbours, including the Arab countries, in particular Saudi Arabia.

Nicknamed in the Iranian media as the diplomat sheikh and the sheikh of hope, Rouhani described western sanctions targeting Iran's economy and its banking system as cruel.

He said that his government's goal would be that no new sanctions are imposed and the existing measures are lifted.

The press conference, held in Iran's centre for strategic studies, an institution Rouhani has presided over for 22 years.