US President Donald Trump on Monday did not rule out a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani within weeks to seek possible negotiations to resolve the current crisis linked to the Iranian nuclear file, including the easing of tough sanctions against Tehran, mediated by European countries.
At the end of the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, to which Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was summoned two days ago, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his hope for a summit between Trump and Rouhani in the coming days.
During a press conference with Trump, Macron said that the conditions were conducive to a meeting between the two men, adding that he and his US counterpart agreed that Iran must honor its nuclear obligations under its 2015 agreement with major powers, as well as security in the Gulf region.
In response to a question about the possibility of a meeting with Rouhani, the US president said it makes sense for him to hold talks with Rouhani within weeks if conditions are appropriate.
He added that Iran should be a good player in the region, and explained that the French president told him in advance about the arrival of the Iranian foreign minister to the summit, stressing in the meantime to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Referring to the possibility of easing sanctions imposed on Iran in the framework of a possible deal, Trump said that several countries will provide a line of credit to Iran to run its affairs to ensure its oil, stressing at the same time that he is not open to compensation for sanctions that led to the suspension of Iranian oil exports Great, according to Washington.
The president's comments on the possibility of meeting his Iranian counterpart came a day after he confirmed that the leaders of the seven countries are close to reaching an agreement on Iran, and that his country is not seeking regime change in Tehran.
The meeting between the US and Iranian presidents could be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next month.
In recent weeks, the United States has appeared on the brink of military confrontation after several incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf, including the downing of a US drone and the exposure of oil tankers to mysterious explosions or to detention by Iranian authorities.
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European mediation
The announcement of a possible meeting between Trump and Rouhani appeared to be the fruit of mediation by France and other European countries to end the current tensions in the Gulf and return to the implementation of the nuclear agreement, which Washington has withdrawn, while Tehran has reduced its obligations under it.
The Iranian foreign minister participated in a meeting on the sidelines of the summit of Biarritz at the invitation of the French president, and the participation of other European officials.
In June, the EU announced that the mechanism for trade with Iran and the avoidance of US sanctions was ready.
| Rouhani willing to meet anyone if it will solve Iran's (European) problem |
Dialog option
In Tehran, the Iranian president today expressed support for the option of dialogue to resolve the crisis over his country's nuclear program.
In a speech broadcast live on state television, Rouhani said he believed any possible tool should be used for the country's development and progress.
In an apparent reference to the US president, Rouhani said that if he knew that the country's problem would be solved if he met someone he would not refrain from doing so, Fars news agency reported.
Rouhani's comments came as his government faced criticism over Zarif's visit to Biarritz at the invitation of the French president. The Iranian president stressed a few days ago that there is no place for negotiations with Washington under the use of force, stressing the need to lift US sanctions on his country.