Senior Iranian officials on Tuesday rejected US President Donald Trump's offer of talks without preconditions as worthless and "a humiliation" after he acted to re-impose sanctions on Tehran following his withdrawal from a landmark nuclear deal.
Asked at a White House news conference whether he was willing to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Trump said: "I'd meet with anybody".
"No preconditions, no. If they want to meet, I'll meet anytime they want, anytime they want", he said.
Ever since Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in May, the relations between the two countries have deteriorated, with Washington preparing to re-impose sanctions on Tehran within days.
The US has also vowed to boost sanctions until Iran changes its regional policies, including its support for regional militant groups.
"I would meet with anybody".
"Respect for the great nation of Iran, reduction in hostilities, U.S. returning to the nuclear deal..." 'Good for the country, good for them, good for us and good for the world. "If they want to meet, I'll meet".
Trump's offer comes after a provocative warning a week ago from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who said the U.S. should not "play with the lion's tail" and warned that any conflict with Iran would be the "mother of all wars".
"Trump should first make up for his withdrawal from the nuclear deal and show that he respects his predecessors' commitments and global law", added Kharrazi, a former foreign minister.
In an earlier tweet, Trump said: "Never, ever threaten the U.S. again or you will suffer consequences the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered before".
Under the 2015 deal, the fruit of Rouhani's efforts to ease Iran's global isolation to help revive its economy, Iran curbed its shadowy nuclear program and won relief from United Nations and Western sanctions in return. "Until then, the sting of sanctions will only grow more painful if the regime does not change course".
"This relief is only possible if there are tangible, demonstrated, and sustained shifts in Tehran's policies", said Garrett Marquis, spokesman for the National Security Council.
Iranian officials reacted sceptically to the statement.
But if Trump were to pursue diplomacy with Iran's leadership, he would have to overcome deep-seated concerns among Washington's closest regional allies, such as Saudi Arabia and Israel, who are deeply skeptical about negotiating with Rouhani's government.
Trump has repeatedly shown a willingness to cast traditional diplomatic protocol aside and meet with leaders shunned by other administrations, including North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. We got our prisoners back.
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