President Trump said Tuesday he is open to a meeting at some point with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a day after Rouhani said he had no plans to meet with Trump while he’s in New York for meetings at the United Nations.
“Despite requests, I have no plans to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Maybe someday in the future. I am sure he is an absolutely lovely man!” Trump tweeted.
In an interview with NBC that aired Monday, Rouhani suggested the U.S. delegation may have wanted to meet with Iranian leaders.
“Naturally, if someone is keen on having a meeting and holding dialogue and creating progress in relationships, that person would not use the tool of sanctions and threats [and bring] to bear all of its power against another government and nation,” Rouhani said.
In his tweet Tuesday, Trump appeared to claim it was Iran who had requested a meeting.
Despite requests, I have no plans to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Maybe someday in the future. I am sure he is an absolutely lovely man!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2018
Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Obama-era Iran deal in May and imposed economic sanctions in August. The Trump administration is set to enforce sanctions on the country’s oil and gas industry in November.
Despite U.S. withdrawal from the deal, America’s allies in Europe have remained in the agreement.
While in New York, Rouhani is expected to meet with leaders from countries still signed onto the deal about how to keep it alive in wake of U.S. sanctions.
