Pompeo: Trump Open to Talks With Rouhani at UN

US President Donald Trump would be willing to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during this week’s United Nations General Assembly gathering, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview broadcast on Sunday.

“I think the president’s been pretty clear about that. He’s happy to talk with folks at any time,” Pompeo said on NBC. “If there's a constructive dialogue to be had, let's get after it.” 

Trump is set to meet with a half-dozen foreign heads of state during this week's UN meetings in New York though Iran is not on the list. 

Pompeo has reiterated Trump’s earlier offer to talk with Iranian leaders without preconditions. 

His administration has been seeking to enter into new negotiations with Tehran since it withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 

Iranian officials have repeatedly rejected the offer citing the US hostile actions and unreliability. 

Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has banned holding any talks with the US, stating that it "never remains loyal to its promises in talks”.

“America's withdrawal from the nuclear deal is a clear proof that the US cannot be trusted,” he said. 

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has censured the US for abandoning diplomacy after the two sides held two years of talks leading to the nuclear accord.

“US can only blame itself for pulling out & leaving the table. Threats, sanctions & PR stunts won’t work. Try respect: for Iranians & for int’l commitments,” he said on Twitter.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi has also said that “there will definitely not be the possibility of dialogue and engagement, as the United States has shown that it is totally unreliable”.

Qasemi stressed that Trump’s offer to negotiate with Tehran contradicts his actions, as Washington has imposed sanctions on Iran and put pressure on other countries to avoid business with the Islamic Republic.