6 August 2013
Last updated at 17:25 BST
Iran's new president Hassan Rouhani (click here) has called for "serious and substantive" negotiations with the international community about its nuclear programme.
At the first news conference since his inauguration on Sunday, Mr Rouhani said he was confident both sides' concerns could be resolved in a short time.
But a solution could be reached solely through "talks, not threats", he added.
Prime Minister Lavrov is a very powerful man, don't underestimate him. He can make or break a peace process. He deserves The West's respect. He smiled widely when Secretary Clinton put forward a Reset Button. He has a vision of peace.
New Iran president on first foreign trip (click here)
43 minutes ago
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has made his first foreign trip since taking office.
He joined leaders from Russia, China and Central Asian states in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek.
James Reynolds reports.
You see, how terrible the world was under extremists. It takes two to tango. The Axis of Evil speech was the worst thing that ever happened to the USA's reputation. It pegged the USA as an extremist and one that other nations had to protect from.
This is huge. I think President Rouhani will move the Shi'tie nation eons toward peace and progress for their children to compete in the real world. I have great hope for his presidency.
And yes, I am willing to believe in this change in leadership. How can on reciprocate good will unless it is first extended in great anticipation of peace.
Iran has recently converted more than 40% (click here) of its stockpile of enriched uranium to fuel rods for use in a civilian reactor and is in the process of converting the rest, the country's nuclear chief has announced on state television.
The claim aired by Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, was the latest signal from newly inaugurated President Hassan Rouhani's government that Tehran is working to allay Western fears about its nuclear programs.
Rouhani last week moved to transfer authority from Iran's religious hierarchy to his elected government for nuclear programs and international negotiations on their scope and transparency. The move was hailed by both the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna and the six world powers that have been at work for the last two years trying to ensure that Iran isn't preparing to build nuclear weapons.
“Although we know the nuclear case against us is fabricated, we are ready to relieve the other side’s concern,” Salehi said in the televised Thursday night interview, reported by the semiofficial Fars News Agency on Friday....
