Iran would talk to US if Washington shows ‘goodwill’ – Rouhani

Wed, Sep 18, 2019
By publisher
2 MIN READ

Foreign

IRANIAN President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday said that Iran would consider talks with the U.S. if Washington shows “goodwill”.

He however said negotiations while the U.S. puts Iran under maximum pressure will not be possible, adding that no country in the world would agree to talks under such conditions.

“If you really want talks, then you should halt the pressure and show goodwill,” the Iranian president said, addressing the U.S. directly in comments published on his official website.

Relations between Washington and Tehran have deteriorated since the U.S. pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers.

The U.S. reimposed sanctions as part of a “maximum pressure” campaign to force Iran to discuss a broader deal that goes beyond its nuclear programme.

There has been speculation for several weeks that Rouhani could hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

Though Rouhani has said he would only consider a discussion alongside the other five partners to the nuclear deal: China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany.

It is unclear whether the Iranian delegation will be granted permission to enter the US.

According to the Iranian Fars news agency, Rouhani has not yet received a visa to attend the General Assembly, the UN’s biggest annual diplomatic event.

Rouhani’s comments come a day after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said “no negotiation on any level” would happen between Iran and the U.S. unless Washington returns to the nuclear deal. (dpa/NAN)

– Sept. 18, 2019 @ 12:35 GMT |

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