In Iran, Hassan Rouhani took the presidential oath of office Sunday, replacing outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Rouhani is seen as a moderate who could pave the way for talks over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. His inauguration came days after the U.S. House of Representatives passed its harshest sanctions yet on Iran, focusing on the country’s oil exports. During his inaugural address, Rouhani called for an end to the sanctions.

President Hassan Rouhani: “Interactions based on equal footing and cooperation will be the basis of our relations with other countries. On this basis, proportionate to the behavior and approach of the other side, in view of improving and promoting future ties, we will ascertain our next step. So I will say this: If you want the right response, don’t speak with Iran in the language of sanctions; speak in the language of respect.”