Trump: Iran May Speak With US 'Pretty Soon'
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that negotiations with Tehran were imminent, despite silence from the Iranian leaders to his offer for talks.
"I have a feeling they'll be talking to us pretty soon," Trump told a rally in Tampa, Florida, before adding "and maybe not, and that's ok too," Donald Trump was quoted as saying by AFP. Trump also slammed the "horrible, one-sided" Iran nuclear deal which the US president withdrew earlier this year.
On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the United States can only "blame" itself for terminating dialogue with Iran after withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
"Iran & US had 2 yrs of talks. With EU/E3+Russia+China, we produced a unique multilateral accord—the JCPOA. It’s been working. US can only blame itself for pulling out & leaving the table. Threats, sanctions & PR stunts won’t work. Try respect: for Iranians & for int'l commitments," Zarif said on Twitter.
Trump said Monday that he would have no preconditions for a meeting with the Iranian leadership, including President Hassan Rouhani. However, according to Trump, the Iranian side must first express a desire for such a dialogue.
Later on that day, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNBC broadcaster commenting on Trump's words that the president will be prepared to sit down with the Iranians if they reduce their malign behavior in the Middle East and agree to enter a new nuclear deal.
In May, Trump announced that his country would exit from the JCPOA, which stipulated the gradual lifting of the anti-Iran sanctions in exchange for Tehran maintaining the peaceful nature of its nuclear program. In addition, Trump decided to reinstate the previously lifted sanctions on Iran. The unilateral move has been opposed by other signatories to the agreement, which remained committed to the deal.
https://sputniknews.com/us/201808011066841690-usa-iran-trump-talks/