New president takes oath in Iranian parliament

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in as president of Iran today, declaring his foreign policy would focus on good relations with the rest of the world.

“Justice, peace and détente are important elements in our foreign policy. These are inseparable parts of our policy,” Ahmadinejad said in an inaugural speech to parliament after his swearing-in.

A week ago the former Tehran mayor received approval from Iran’s Islamic religious establishment, promising to work for social justice and the alleviation of poverty. Ahmadinejad’s victory in June elections was flawed by charges of unfair voting practices.

Without directly pointing to Iran’s controversial nuclear program Ahmadinejad said his government respects international norms but added that “it will not follow illegal decisions that plan to violate rights of the Iranian nation”.

Ahmadinejad added: “Some governments have been trying to deprive our nation from its definite right. Such an attitude forms resistance in people and converts their right into a national pride.

“I don’t know why some countries do not want to understand this fact that Iranian people do not tolerate force."

Shortly after his inauguration, the foreign ministry rejected Europe’s proposal for ending the deeply divisive stand-off over Tehran’s controversial nuclear program, calling it “unacceptable” and not up to Iran’s “minimum expectations”.

“The European proposals are unacceptable and against the provisions of the Paris agreement. The proposals do not meet Iran’s minimum expectations,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said on state radio.

The Paris Agreement was reached between Iran and the three European countries negotiating on behalf of the 25-member European Union. Under the deal, signed in November in Paris, Iran agreed to continue suspension of uranium enrichment and all related activities including uranium conversion until negotiations proceed for a political settlement.