Rohani blasted international sanctions against Iran, comparing them to the widely criticized punitive measures against Iraq while the late Saddam Hussein was in power. "These sanctions are violent, pure and simple," he told the UN General Assembly, adding that normal people, not political elites, ended up suffering because of them. "The negative impact is not nearly limited to the intended victims of sanctions."

Rohani also said he is prepared to engage immediately in "time bound" talks on the nuclear issue and reach a "framework" for managing differences with U.S. He expressed hope the Obama administration will have political will to avoid influence of "warmongering pressure groups" on Iran nuclear issue.

According to Rohani, if the US "refrains from falling for war mongering pressure groups (and follows the values of) equal footing, mutual respect and recognizes the principles of international law … then peace is in reach."

Source: Shafaqna