DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran would be open to talks with the United States if Washington apologizes for pulling out of a 2015 nuclear deal and compensates Tehran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, warning that the United States calls for discussions they were not sincere.
FILE PHOTO: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a meeting with tribal leaders in Kerbala, Iraq, on March 12, 2019. REUTERS / Abdullah Dhiaa Al-Deen
The confrontation between arch-enemies Tehran and Washington has worsened since 2018, when US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with major powers and re-imposed sanctions that have paralyzed Iran’s economy.
Iran has refused to hold talks with the United States, which is trying to force Tehran to negotiate a new agreement, unless Washington lifts sanctions against Tehran and returns to the original agreement.
In a tweet in early June, Trump repeated Washington’s call for a new deal with Tehran with the goal of putting stricter limits on Tehran’s nuclear work, curbing its ballistic missile program and ending its decades of regional warfare. power.
“We have no problem with talks with the United States, but only if Washington complies with its obligations under the nuclear deal, does it apologize and compensate Tehran for its withdrawal from the 2015 deal,” Rouhani said in a televised speech.
“But we know that these calls to converse with Tehran are just words and lies,” he added.
In retaliation for Washington’s “maximum pressure” policy, Iran has gradually reduced its nuclear commitments, a process that Tehran says is reversible if the European parties to the pact follow through on their promises to protect Iran’s economy from US sanctions. .
“The Europeans have not kept their promises. They should fulfill their obligations, “said Rouhani.
Rouhani also criticized a resolution by the UN nuclear watchdog passed on Friday calling on Iran to stop denying the agency access to two suspected old sites and to cooperate fully with it.
“Iran is ready to cooperate with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) according to the law,” he said.
Written by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Andrew Heavens, William Maclean
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