President Hassan Rouhani held bilateral talks with several world leaders on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York to discuss a range of subjects, including the 2015 nuclear deal and his peace initiative for the Persian Gulf region.
In his meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he pointed out that creating a positive economic atmosphere was among the commitments of the parties to the nuclear deal, which they have failed to meet, President.ir reported.
He called for the prompt implementation of European economic measures, including their financial mechanism known as INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges), to facilitate trade with Iran by circumventing American sanctions.
The United States' withdrawal from the nuclear deal last year and its reimposition of sanctions have jeopardized Iran's interests under the accord, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
European parties have been trying to offset the effects of the American restrictions through different measures such as INSTEX.
Johnson said Britain has always backed and will continue to support JCPOA.
"I still hope JCPOA will survive and tensions will decrease in the region," he said.
Merkel also reiterated Berlin's support for the deal, calling for respecting this important international agreement and the lifting of sanctions against Tehran.
She also stressed the determination of Germany and other European countries to operationalize INSTEX as soon as possible.
‘Coalition of Hope’
Rouhani also discussed his new peace plan dubbed "Coalition of Hope" (Hormuz Peace Endeavor), which he was set to unveil during his address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.
The plan aims to invite all Persian Gulf states as well as the United Nations to work together to guarantee security in the region.
He stressed that cooperation among Persian Gulf countries is "the only way to achieve stability and sustainable security in the region", adding that support from other countries such as Britain and Germany could help achieve this purpose.
Merkel said Germany's government will eagerly review this initiative and support any tactful measure to defuse regional tensions.
Rouhani also expressed regret over the recent joint statement by Britain, Germany and France in which they blamed Iran for the Sept. 14 attack on Saudi oil facilities without evidence.
"Issuing this unfounded statement under the current sensitive and complicated circumstances was by no means useful and constructive," he said.
Rouhani also met Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and appreciated Tokyo's backing for the nuclear deal.
Pointing to his peace plan, he said Tehran expects friendly countries such as Japan to back up the proposal and encourage other countries to accept it.
"Japan has been a victim of nuclear weapons and Iran of chemical weapons. Therefore, both countries are opposed to weapons of mass destruction and this strengthens their bonds and their will to help protect stability and security in the region," he said.
Abe said Iran's peaceful approach and recent initiative have been heartwarming and Tokyo will do all in its power to deescalate regional tensions.
Rouhani also held meetings with the leaders of Sweden, Switzerland and Spain later in the day and was set to meet a number of others, including from Iraq, Ireland and Malaysia on Wednesday.
Need for Trust
There have been speculations about a potential meeting between Rouhani and his American counterpart, Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the UN event, although both sides have dismissed the possibility.
Rouhani said in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday that there was no reason for the two presidents to "bump into one another" and any talks must be based on plans so as to benefit both countries and their people.
"But prior to that, we must create mutual trust … The restoration of trust consists in taking away the pressure imposed upon the nation and the people of Iran … This is inhumane, and if there is a cessation to this, then, of course, the atmosphere will change … and we can talk about many different topics of mutual interest for both sides." he said.
Trump had told reporters earlier on Sunday that "nothing is ever off the table completely, but I have no intention of meeting with Iran".
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