Newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has been reported as saying that the United States is looking for an excuse to confront Iran over its contraversial nuclear programme, Iranian state TV said on Saturday.
According to the TV source, Rouhani made the remarks during a meeting with North Korean official Kim Yong Nam, who was visiting Tehran for Rouhani's inauguration.
"We believe the United States and the Westerners are seeking an excuse to confront the countries that they do not consider friends," Rouhani was quoted as saying, according to AFP.
The West, including the US, believes that Iran is pursuing its nuclear weapons programme despite international regulations, a charge Iran staunchly denies.
Elected in June, Rouhani is considered to be a liberal candidate. He has promised to seek better relations with the West and is seen by many as heralding the end of the turbulent Ahmedinejad era.
Despite his promised during his election campagin, Rouhani is still second in command to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khameini.
But the elected president is subordinate, particularly in foreign and security matters, to the clerical leadership
