Iran is willing to hold talks with the United States, but only after Washington lifts all sanctions on the country, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday. Rouhani’s remarks were a response to US President Donald Trump’s Monday statement that he would meet with Rouhani to discuss a resolution to the current crisis that started with the US withdrawal from the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal last year.
Rouhani stressed that his country “does not seek tension with the world. We want security in the Middle East. We want better and friendly ties with other countries.” However, Trump ruled out the lifting of sanctions as an option for kick-starting talks.
Read more: Iran’s Rouhani rules out talks with U.S. until sanctions lifted