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Iran sticks to its guns: No room for talks with Trump

Iran's president has once again ruled out dialog with his US counterpart amid mixed signals from the White House. Yet third-party mediation remains an option both sides seemingly favor.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York, U.S., September 24, 2018. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri - RC1E713F5F70

"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.

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