Iran hinted at possible concessions to end its diplomatic standoff with Washington, including providing reassurances it will not seek nuclear arms and accept changes to its pact with the US and Europe — if the US returns to the deal and lifts sanctions.
“If the sanctions are ended and there is a return to the (nuclear) accord, there is room for giving reassurances toward breaking the deadlock and the President [Hassan Rouhani] has even a proposal for small changes in the accord,” the spokesman, Ali Rabiei, said on state-run television Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Rouhani and President Trump are both attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, but have no plans to meet.
In a speech to the world body on Wednesday, Rouhani said Iran would not return to the negotiating table unless the US withdraws the sanctions Trump reimposed after pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal last year.
“Our response to any negotiation under sanctions is negative,” Rouhani said, adding that Iran “resisted the most merciless economic terrorism” from the US.
But he did not fully rule out a diplomatic solution.
“This is the message of the Iranian nation: Let’s invest on hope toward a better future rather than on war and violence,” Rouhani said. “Let’s return to justice, to peace, to law, commitment and promise and finally to the negotiating table.”
The day before, Trump during his address to the UN emphasized that withdrawing sanctions wasn’t an option.
“No responsible government should subsidize Iran’s bloodlust. As long as Iran’s menacing behavior continues, sanctions will not be lifted; they will be tightened,” Trump told the gathering of the world’s leaders.
Tensions between US and Iran ratcheted up again this month after a missile and drone attack decimated a Saudi Arabian oil complex.
Trump and the Saudis quickly pointed the finger at Iran. On Monday, the United Kingdom, France and Germany appeared to back the U.S. assessment, putting out a statement implicating Iran.
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who are fighting a Saudi-led coalition of forces in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the Sept. 14 attack.
Tehran denied any involvement in the strike.
With Post wires