Iran's newly elected President Hassan Rouhani has pledged to join in constructive dialogue with world powers.
Continuing his engagement with U.S. media, Mr. Rouhani says in an opinion piece in The Washington Post that "gone is the age of blood feuds." He says world leaders are expected to "lead" by "turning threats into opportunities."
Mr. Rouhani's column was posted late Thursday, just days before he makes his first appearance as president on the world stage at next week's U.N. General Assembly in New York.
NBC News broadcast an interview with the Iranian president earlier this week, and the Iranian head of state has more media exposure coming up in the next few days.
United Nations and Western sanctions have been imposed on Iran for its controversial nuclear program. Some world powers believe Iran has been attempting to develop nuclear weapons, but Tehran insists its uranium enrichment program is peaceful.
In the Post article, Mr. Rouhani says generating nuclear power is "as much about diversifying" Iran's energy resources as it is about the country's "demand for dignity and respect."