Speaking on US television ahead of his trip to the UN in New York this week, President Rouhani has promoted the July 14 nuclear deal while remaining cautious on Tehran’s relations with Washington.

Rouhani’s interview with the flagship US political program 60 Minutes was broadcast on Sunday night.

See Iran Video: President Rouhani’s Interview on Prime-Time US Television

Rouhani projected Iran as a peaceful country interested in peace and dialogue: “We wanted this incorrect accusation, that Iran is after nuclear weapons, corrected and resolved and that the goal of Iran is peaceful activity.”

He continued, “[This was] a very difficult agreement to reach, with lots of ups and downs … But it’s the right path we have chosen. I am happy that we have taken extremely important steps on this issue and are in the process of taking the final steps.”

Iran’s Parliament is still in the process of reviewing the deal with the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and China), with a commission promising a report by early October. It is unclear if MPs will be allowed a formal vote on the agreement.

Rouhani expressed confidence that the deal would be implemented, pointing to the Supreme National Security Council, whom the Government wants to have the final say:

The majority of our people, in opinion polls, have a positive view of the agreement….Institutions like the Parliament and the Supreme National Security Council, are usually not far removed from public opinion and move in that direction.

Amid the Supreme Leader’s continued rejection of negotiations with Washington beyond the nuclear deal, the President was careful in his comments on future relations:

The enmity that existed between the United States and Iran over the decades, the distance, the disagreements, the lack of trust, will not go away soon.

What’s important is which direction we are heading….Are we heading toward amplifying the enmity or decreasing this enmity? I believe we have taken the first steps toward decreasing this enmity.

See Iran Daily, Sept 17: Supreme Leader Talks Tough with Revolutionary Guards About “Sedition”

The President continued:

Many areas exist where it is possible…[that] there are common goals….But what is important is that, in the nuclear agreement, we see how the two sides behave in action. Enacting this agreement in a good way will create a new environment.

Speaking specifically about the crisis in Syria, where Iran has helped prevent the fall of the Assad regime, the President said: “How is possible that we fight the terrorists of this country without supporting and helping the Government?…How can we fight the terrorists without the Government staying?”

He added:

Of course, after we have fought terrorism and a secure environment is created, then it is time to talk about the Constitution or the future regime….Opposition groups and supporters sit at a table.

But during a situation of bloodshed and during occupation of the country, what options exist?

Asked about the ritual chant of “Death to America”, heard on occasions such as Tehran Friday Prayers, Rouhani said:

This chant is not a slogan against the American people. Our people respect the American people. Our people are not looking for war with any country.

But at the same time, the policies of the United States have been against the national interests of the Iranian people. It’s understandable that people will demonstrate sensitivity to this issue….

We cannot forget the past, but at the same time our gaze must be towards the future.