Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe
Conte on Monday, Trump asserted that he would "certainly meet” with Iranians
with "no preconditions.”
"It’s good for the country, good for them, good for us and good for the world.
No preconditions. If they want to meet, I’ll meet,” said the U.S. president.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared on CNBC hours later to set some
conditions.
"We've said this before," said the former CIA chief. "If the Iranians
demonstrate a commitment to make fundamental changes in how they treat their own
people, reduce their malign behavior, can agree that it's worthwhile to enter
into a nuclear agreement that actually prevents proliferation, then the
president said he's prepared to sit down and have the conversation with them.”
Back in May, Pompeo had set 12 conditions for talks with Iran, which were
dismissed by Tehran.
Trump’s latest stance towards Tehran runs counter to his recent threatsagainst
the nation as well as pulling Washington out of the Iran nuclear deal despite
having the support of almost all U.S. allies.
"I do believe that they will probably end up wanting to meet,” he claimed. "And
I’m ready to meet any time they want to. And I don’t do that from strength or
from weakness. I think it’s an appropriate thing to do.”
President Rouhani has not yet responded to Trump's latest comments but his
adviser said on Twitter that the US should return to the nuclear deal.
"Respecting the Iranian nation's rights, reducing hostilities and returning to
the nuclear deal are steps that can be taken to pave the bumpy road of talks
between Iran and America," said Hamid Aboutalebi (pictured above).
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi suggested earlier in the
day that engaging in negotiations with the "current America" is next to
impossible.
He further asserted that a military confrontation between Iran and the United
States is out of the question, yet the Islamic Republic is ready for such
scenario.
Known for his anti-Iran sentiments from the campaign days, Trump ultimately
pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action, in May.
According to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Trump "should learn well that
peace with Iran is the mother of all peace and war with Iran is the mother of
all wars.”
Source: Press TV