Iran Willing to Talk if Other Side Shows Respect, Follows Int’l Rules – Rouhani

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated earlier in the day that Tehran does not need mediators in its negotiations with Washington, but the decision on dialogue should be made at the highest level.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has stated that Tehran is willing to hold talks if the other side shows respect and follows international rules, but not if it issues orders to negotiate, Fars News Agency reported.

The statement comes after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif noted that to ensure meaningful talks, Washington should return to fulfilling its obligations on the nuclear deal, from which it withdrew last year.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in turn, stressed on 29 May that Tehran would not negotiate with the United States. However, Rouhani did not rule out the possibility of negotiations with the United States if Washington lifts sanctions from Tehran and abandons the policy of oppressing Iran.

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