Iran president says 'no' to pre-election deal with Trump

Despite an official line of indifference toward US election results, Iranian authorities are closely monitoring the race from Tehran.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a speech during the inaugural session of the new parliament following February elections, in Tehran on May 27, 2020. - The 11th legislature since the Islamic revolution of 1979 opened as the country's economy, which has been hard hit by the novel coronavirus, gradually returns to normal. Rouhani, who is in the final year of his second and final term, called on MPs, collectively and individually, to place the "national interest above special interests", "party intere
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivers a speech during the inaugural session of the new parliament following February elections, in Tehran on May 27, 2020. - AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

​Mahmoud Vaezi, the most influential man in Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's entourage as well as his chief of staff, has reasserted the Islamic Republic’s stance that talks with US President Donald Trump's administration are not an option.

“We have to make sure that what he failed to achieve at home will not be covered by a foreign policy gain,” Vaezi said of Trump, adding that Iran “will look out in the remaining weeks until we pass this stage by.” The Rouhani aide was referring to the US president’s multiple offers for talks, which Tehran has so far turned down.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more