Iran's new centrist president, Hassan Rouhani, has condemned the Nazi Holocaust against Jews in World War II, saying it is something that cannot be ignored.
Mr. Rouhani made his remarks during informal talks with Western reporters covering the United Nations General Assembly in New York Wednesday.
He appeared to be distancing himself from the last Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who repeatedly denied the Holocaust.
But Mr. Rouhani said it is important that Holocaust victims not "victimize" others -- a reference to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The new Iranian president also said Iran has nothing to hide and believes the dispute over its nuclear program will be settled by negotiation.
U.S. and Iranian officials had anticipated a handshake and brief meeting in New York Tuesday between Mr. Rouhani and President Barack Obama. Mr. Rouhani said the encounter did not happen because he said the timing was not right and too much is at stake.
The Iranian president said he is not opposed to meeting Mr. Obama at a later date, but that both countries have to be careful in thawing more than 30 years of frozen relations.
Mr. Rouhani made his remarks during informal talks with Western reporters covering the United Nations General Assembly in New York Wednesday.
He appeared to be distancing himself from the last Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who repeatedly denied the Holocaust.
But Mr. Rouhani said it is important that Holocaust victims not "victimize" others -- a reference to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories.
The new Iranian president also said Iran has nothing to hide and believes the dispute over its nuclear program will be settled by negotiation.
U.S. and Iranian officials had anticipated a handshake and brief meeting in New York Tuesday between Mr. Rouhani and President Barack Obama. Mr. Rouhani said the encounter did not happen because he said the timing was not right and too much is at stake.
The Iranian president said he is not opposed to meeting Mr. Obama at a later date, but that both countries have to be careful in thawing more than 30 years of frozen relations.