“I want this trip to be the first step toward better ties between the Iranian and American nations; and in terms of the two governments, we seek to at least prevent more tensions and prepare the ground for achieving common interests,” Rouhani said in a Friday press conference in New York prior to his departure flight to Tehran.

He added that his four-day trip to New York produced good results, expressing hope the visit would “initiate better and constructive relations with world countries.”

“During our presence in New York, we practically sought [to make] a more precise assessment of the new international climate after the inauguration of the [new Iranian] administration and I think we had good achievements in that regard,” Rouhani stated.

He further pointed to his talks with world leaders on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly on ways to rebuild Iran’s regional and international status, adding that “certain agreements and good achievements” were made in that regard.
“We sought to improve ties with all negotiating sides and I think the achievements were more than expected and the ground is prepared for broader relations,” the Iranian president stated.

President Rouhani also noted that his talks with the officials of different countries on fighting terrorism and weapons of mass destruction were fruitful.

Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear technology was also emphasized during talks with world leaders and officials, President Rouhani underscored.

Later on Friday, Rouhani and his American counterpart Barack Obama held a telephone conversation, the first direct communication between an Iranian and a US president since Iran’s Islamic Revolution of 1979, as the Iranian president was wrapping up his visit to New York.

The two presidents stressed Tehran and Washington’s political will to swiftly resolve the West’s dispute over Iran’s nuclear energy program, and exchanged viewpoints on various issues, including cooperation on a number of regional concerns.

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