The United States and Iran are set to take part in a new round of international negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program. Thursday’s talks follow speeches by President Obama and new Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, before the U.N. General Assembly, each opening the window to diplomatic engagement. In his comments, President Obama insisted the United States does not seek regime change in Iran and welcomed what he called Rouhani’s popular mandate for a “moderate course.”

President Obama: “We are encouraged that President Rouhani received from the Iranian people a mandate to pursue a more moderate course. And given President Rouhani’s stated commitment to reach an agreement, I am directing John Kerry to pursue this effort with the Iranian government in close cooperation with the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China. The roadblocks may prove to be too great, but I firmly believe the diplomatic path must be tested.”

Hours later, Rouhani echoed Obama’s call for diplomacy. He reiterated Iran has no nuclear ambitions, but affirmed its right to enrich uranium within international norms. Rouhani also blasted what he called “violent” U.S.-led sanctions on Iran, which he compared to those imposed on Iraq after the first Gulf War.