Davos , Switzerland ( CNN ) -- Iran will continue with its peaceful nuclear program and push to reengage with the world and build its economy , President Hassan Rouhani said Thursday in a speech at the World Economic Forum . Rouhani , who became President in August , said his country would `` under no conditions give up its right to pursue peaceful technology . '' But , he said , the six-month nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers , which limits the country 's nuclear program in exchange for lighter sanctions , opens the door to greater Iranian engagement with the world . `` What we have achieved is not merely a temporary agreement but a prelude to future agreement and engagement , '' Rouhani said . In Thursday 's speech , he said he would push for improved ties with the world as part of his drive to make the Iranian economy one of the top 10 within the next three decades . Iran 's economy ranked 22nd in the world in 2012 , based on gross domestic product , according to the World Bank . `` I view Iran 's economy as the most congruent , capable and closest to that of successful emerging economies , and I see Iran 's place alongside them in the future , '' Rouhani said . He said the country intended to reopen trade and industrial and economic relations with its neighbors -- but that does n't appear to include Israel . Responding to a question from World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab on whether Iran 's approach included all countries , Rouhani said : `` All countries that Iran has officially recognized are inside the circle . '' `` East and West , North and South -- there are no exceptions , '' he said . Since the Iranian revolution of 1979 , Iran has viewed Israel as an illegitimate state with no right to exist . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Rouhani 's remarks were the latest in an `` Iranian show of deception . '' He said the goal of the Iranian ayatollahs ' regime was to ease sanctions without conceding on their program to produce nuclear weapons . `` They say they oppose nuclear weapons ; why do they insist on maintaining the ballistic missiles and plutonium and the advanced centrifuges that are only used for the production of nuclear weapons ? '' Netanyahu said . `` So it sounds good , I wish it was real , it is n't real . I think the world has a mission to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons . '' Earlier , Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif , in an exclusive interview with CNN , said the Obama administration has mischaracterized concessions by his side in the six-month nuclear deal with Iran , saying `` we did not agree to dismantle anything . '' The accord requires Iran to dilute its stockpile of uranium that had been enriched to 20 % -- well above the 5 % level needed for power generation but still below the level for developing a nuclear weapon . In addition , the deal requires Iran to limit new enrichment to 5 % and dismantle equipment necessary for higher levels , according to the White House . Rouhani also said Syria , where a civil war has been raging for almost three years , has been `` engulfed in a major catastrophe , and the people have borne the brunt . It is a miserable situation and a very sad situation . '' He said Iran `` believes that everyone , all of us , should try our best to put a stop to the bloodshed in Syria , and later push terrorists out of Syria . '' Rouhani said the next step would be to `` pave the way for the opposition to sit around a table with the Syrian government '' and for free and fair elections to be held . Democracy : Egypt 's beautiful dream in the wrong hands . Opinion : Will global elite listen to Pope of poor ? Can Davos make a difference to global inequality ? Opinion : Tunisia 's leaders have failed the Dignity Revolution . Iranian official on nuke deal : 'We did not agree to dismantle anything '
NEW : The world must `` prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons , '' Israeli PM says . At Davos summit , Iranian President presses reengagement with the world . But Iran will `` under no conditions '' give up peaceful nuclear program , he says . Rouhani calls for free elections in Syria , says opposition and government need to talk .