Iran's newly elected President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Iranian parliament in the capital Tehran on Aug 5, 2021. (ATTA KENARE / AFP)

TEHRAN - Ebrahim Raisi was sworn in on Thursday as the new president of Iran in the parliament, pledging to protect the borders and political, economic and cultural independence of Iran.

"I swear ... to be the guardian of the official religion and the Islamic Republic establishment and the constitution of the country, and to use all my capacity and competencies to fulfill the responsibilities I have undertaken," Raisi took the oath during his swearing-in ceremony.

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"I swear to dedicate myself to serve the people, elevate the country, promote religion and morality, support the right and spread justice, refrain from any dictatorship, support freedom and dignity of individuals and the rights that the constitution has recognized for the nation," he added in the ceremony broadcast live on the state TV.

Raisi, who is under US sanctions, has pledged to take steps to lift broader sanctions that have cut Iran's oil exports and shut it out of the international banking system.

"The Iranian people expect the new government to improve their livelihoods ... All illegal US sanctions against the Iranian nation must be lifted," Raisi said after being sworn in, vowing to serve the nation and improve ties with its neighbors.

Earlier on Thursday, Raisi urged cooperation among regional states for peace and security, according to Iran's presidential website

Iran has been negotiating with six major powers to revive a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned three years ago by then US president Donald Trump, who said it was too soft on Tehran.

Under the deal, Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear program in return for the lifting of international sanctions, but Trump withdrew from the deal and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. Tehran has since breached limits imposed on its nuclear activities under the agreement.

Iranian and Western officials have said significant gaps remain in the nuclear talks and have yet to announce when the talks will resume.

Earlier on Thursday, Raisi urged cooperation among regional states for peace and security, according to Iran's presidential website.

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Iranian lawmakers and guests from more than 70 countries attended Raisi's inauguration ceremony in the parliament, local media reported. 

According to the regulations, the president has two weeks after the inauguration ceremony to introduce the cabinet and the ministerial plan to the parliament for one-week evaluation.

The reports said Raisi will probably introduce his cabinet to the parliament by Sunday.

Raisi was elected as Iran's new president on June 18, and formally assumed office after the supreme leader's decree on Tuesday and swearing-in ceremony in the parliament on Thursday.  

With inputs from Agencies