"Although I personally support dialog and diplomacy, I flatly reject it under the current circumstances," said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a clear message that the Islamic Republic's stance toward the idea of talks with the administration of US President Donald Trump remained unchanged.
Rouhani said "five world leaders" had approached him to help defuse Tehran-Washington tensions during his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly in September 2018. "But today's conditions are by no means fit for negotiations," he added, noting that "steadfastness and resistance" are Iran's options, echoing a similar view earlier expressed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.