Hassan Rohani, Iran’s president, has promised “more straightforward and more serious talks” with world powers on his country’s nuclear programme, saying that the Islamic Republic was “seriously determined” to break years of deadlock.

In his first press conference since taking office over the weekend, the centrist cleric yesterday insisted that Iran would not abandon its nuclear programme. He also warned the US and other western powers that they were making a “profound mistake should they think they could impose their demands on Iran through threats”.

But he insisted that Iran would pursue its nuclear programme, which it has always insisted has civilian aims, “on the basis of international law” and made clear that Tehran was eager to enter fresh talks with western powers.