U.S. offers new Iran President Rouhani 'willing partnership'

The United States (U.S.) has offered Iran a "willing partnership" following the inauguration of new President Hassan Rouhani.

The White House has said Iran now has a chance to allay fears over its nuclear programme and meet its international obligations after President Rouhani used his inaugural speech to promise a government of moderation, and called for international sanctions to be lifted.

Rouhani's speech was described as conciliatory in tone, and as one reaching out to groups inside and outside Iran.

He talked of transparency as being the key to open a new chapter in mutual trust.

The 64-year-old former nuclear negotiator said no country could preserve peace by waging war, including Iran.

A sign that ties between Washington and Tehran could be on the mend can be gleaned from the fact that Rouhani has nominated a cabinet that includes moderates in key positions, including ex-UN envoy Mohammad Javad Zarif as the country's foreign minister.

However, he did not mention the nuclear programme, which has blighted Iran's international relations and been responsible for several global economic sanctions.