According to Ibena, The confrontation between Tehran and Washington has worsened since 2018, when U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with major powers and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.
Iran has refused to hold any talks with the United States, which is trying to force Tehran to negotiate a new deal, unless Washington lifts sanctions on Tehran and returns to the original agreement.
“We have no problem with talks with the U.S., but only if Washington fulfils its obligations under the nuclear deal, apologies and compensates Tehran for its withdrawal from the 2015 deal,” Rouhani said in a televised speech.
“But we know these calls for talks with Tehran are just words and lies,” he added.
"instead of these words, apologize and return to the rules, they will see that the Iranian nation and government have acted within the framework of justice and international law, and will continue to do so," he said.
In retaliation for Washington’s ‘maximum pressure’ policy, Iran has gradually scaled back its nuclear commitments, a process Tehran says is reversible if the European parties to the pact carry out their promises to shield Iran’s economy from U.S. penalties.
“The Europeans have failed to fulfil their promises. They should carry out their obligations,” Rouhani said.
Rouhani also blasted a resolution by the U.N. nuclear watchdog passed on Friday that called on Iran to stop denying the agency access to two suspected former sites and to cooperate fully with it.
“Iran is ready to cooperate with the (International Atomic Energy Agency) IAEA under law,” he said.
