Can Iran and the U.S. improve their bilateral relations?
Iran's new President, Hassan Rouhani, seems to think so.
A day after his foreign minister met with the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany, Rouhani says the time for progress is now.
(SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) HASSAN ROUHANI, PRESIDENT OF IRAN, SAYING:
"It was clear that their view was the environment that has been created as a result of Iran's elections in this new government is completely different from the past."
Rouhani began his term as president in August and made his U.N. debut this week.
In a high profile news conference in New York, the Iranian leader expressed confidence that the nations could reach a peaceful agreement on a number of issues, including the status of its nuclear weapons program.
(SOUNDBITE) (Farsi) HASSAN ROUHANI, PRESIDENT OF IRAN, SAYING:
"I believe that in the not-too-distant future we'll be able to resolve and settle the nuclear iss
