Iran: US, Israel not invited to inauguration

Iran's Foreign Ministry says that the United States and Israel have not been invited to attend the August 4 inauguration of the country's president-elect.

Spokesman Abbas Araghchi told a press conference today that leaders from all other countries, including Britain, have been invited to the swearing-in of Hasan Rouhani.

Araghchi had said on Sunday that all world leaders have been invited to the event, but his remarks today clarified that US leaders are not in the welcome list. Iran also doesn't recognise Israel.

Rouhani has pledged to follow a "path of moderation." He also promised greater openness over the country's nuclear programme, which has placed Iran at odds with the West.
 

Rouhani won a landslide victory in Iran's June 14 presidential election. He replaces outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.