Rouhani: No Talks with US Unless Sanctions Lifted

By Staff, Agencies 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced on Tuesday that Tehran will not talk to the United States until all sanctions are lifted.

This comes a day after US President Donald Trump said he would meet his Iranian counterpart to try to end a nuclear standoff. 

Rouhani said Iran was always ready to hold talks. “But first the US should act by lifting all illegal, unjust and unfair sanctions imposed on Iran.” 

He also added: “We seek to solve the problem and not take pictures because this is only possible if they lift the sanctions.”

“We will continue to scale back our commitments under the 2015 deal if our interests are not guaranteed,” said Rouhani in a speech broadcast live. “Tehran has never wanted nuclear weapons. If the Europeans abide by their commitments, we will return to our commitments.”

In parallel, the head of the Iranian state highlighted that “if Washington does not abandon its sanctions and economic terror against our people, there will be no positive change in relations.”

“The key to the development of relations between the two countries is in Washington's hands,” he added, noting that “we are men of dialogue, but Washington must lift sanctions first.”

Rouhani further advised the Americans to return to their commitments and retreat from the wrong path. “If they lift the sanctions and respect the rights of the Iranian people, then we can think of the new circumstances based on the people's interest.”