In an interview with CBS's 60 Minutes, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani spoke about the historic nuclear deal and addressed the issue of the contentious slogan, "Death to America."

Rouhani suggested that it was very important to take context into consideration and not charge the slogan with an immediacy, like terrorists do. The slogan is the product of a historically strained relationship between the two countries and has just been carried forward.

"This slogan that is chanted is not a slogan against the American people," he said.

He went on to assert that Iranian people actually respected Americans and this was not a war cry but a criticisim of America's policies toward their country.

"Our people respect the American people. The Iranian people are not looking for war with any country, but at the same time the policies of the United States have been against the national interests of Iranian people," he added.

Recently, Rouhani wished the Jewish population of the world a happy Rosh Hashanah via Twitter. He also seemed to be implying a sense of brotherhood between the the two religions:

"May our shared Abrahamic roots deepen respect and bring peace and mutual understanding. L'shanah Tovah."

But this is not actually surprising as a Yahoo! report revealed that Rouhani had sent out wishes on Rosh Hashanah in 2013 as well, and the country's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has followed in the chief's footsteps.

Watch a preview of the interview:

Tags: iran Hassan Rouhani