Iran Rules out Rouhani-Trump Meeting in New York

"No, there is no such a plan," Vaezi said in an interview with Tasnim news agency, responding to the question whether Mr. Rouhani's office was planning to meet with the US president in New York later next month on the sidelines of the UNGA meeting.

He added that there will be no meeting between the presidents of Iran and the United States, saying there was misinterpretation about President Rouhani’s recent remarks.

Vaezi touched upon the reactions to the recent remarks by the Iranian President about his readiness to hold talks with anyone for the sake of the country’s national interests, rejecting the speculations on any meeting between Rouhani and Trump.

The senior official said holding a meeting with Trump has never been on the agenda and President Rouhani in that speech talked about his government’s seriousness and readiness to tackle problems in the country’s economy and helping the people’s livelihood.

He said Rouhani’s remarks were politicized by foreign and internal media with some certain political aims on their agenda while his comments were more about the people’s welfare and were not about political issues at all.

He rejected the foreign media’s speculations on the willingness of the Iranian president to meet his American counterpart as misinterpretation rejected by the president himself the day after.

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters in Kuala Lumpur that no talks will be held with Washington unless the US stops economic terrorism against Tehran and returns to the nuclear deal.

"The United States is engaged in an economic war against the Iranian people and it won’t be possible for us to engage with the United States unless they stop imposing a war and engaging in economic terrorism against the Iranian people,” the top diplomat highlighted.

“So if they want to come back into the room there is a ticket that they need to purchase and that ticket is to observe the agreement,” he added.

Zarif also stressed that Iran does not want to meet for the sake of meeting, saying, “We need to meet if there is a result.”

His remarks came two days after President Rouhani said that the only way to solve problems between Tehran and Washington is that the White House stops its baseless claims about his country’s nuclear program and removes all of its unlawful sanctions against his nation.

The key to “positive developments” is in the hands of Washington, President Rouhani said during a local ceremony on Tuesday.

“If they wish for more security in the region and want to have better relations with regional countries; if they claim that they want nothing from Iran, then they have to step back from sanctions,” the president added.

“If you [US] removed all sanctions, only then the situation would change,” he stressed, adding “we are not looking for just taking a picture with somebody.”

"We won't build nuclear bombs, whether or not you say we mustn't do so," said Rouhani. "Not because of what you say, not because of your scorns and threats, but because of our own beliefs, ethics, our national security and also the fatwa of our Leader. If you're really honest about this that your only concern is this, then the concern is already resolved. So take the first step. The door cannot be unlocked without this step, which is for you to remove all illegal and unjust sanctions against the Iranian nation."

"We have always been a man of negotiations, and the whole world attests to it. We have been always ready for talks and still are."

Rouhani went on to add, "We are not seeking tension with the world. We want security in the region and across the world. We are ready for cooperation with all friendly countries. We are ready to move in line with our national security and interests while observing all international rules and regulations."

"If it is needed to talk to someone, we will do so; if it is needed to resist, we will defend [our rights]. If someone is trying to bully us, we will stand against the bully. Our ultimate goal, however, is to preserve Iran's dignity and power," said Rouhani.

"Our path is clear: if they return to their commitments, we will return too and resume our commitments. If not, we will continue our own way," the president asserted.

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