New Delhi:
Amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he is open to talks with the Iranian leadership. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, "What I would like to see with Iran, I would like to see them call me. We don't want them to have nuclear weapons -- not much to ask," he said.
On Wednesday, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would no longer implement parts of the deal and threatened to go further if the remaining members of the pact failed to deliver sanctions relief to counterbalance Trump's renewed assault on the Iranian economy within 60 days.
Earlier, Trump targeted Iran’s steel and mining sectors in his latest tough sanctions. Trump however said that he “someday” hoped to negotiate face-to-face with the Iranian regime. This came after Iran said it was suspending some limits set by a multinational nuclear deal on the one-year anniversary of Trump’s pull out from the accord.
The White House said it was targeting the country's biggest revenue source after oil and warned in a statement: "Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct."
“Today’s action targets Iran’s revenue from the export of industrial metals -- 10 percent of its export economy—and puts other nations on notice that allowing Iranian steel and other metals into your ports will no longer be tolerated,” Trump said in a statement.
“Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct.” But in a switch in tone, Trump, who talked tough on North Korea before entering landmark talks with leader Kim Jong Un, said he was also willing to negotiate.
“I look forward to someday meeting with the leaders of Iran in order to work out an agreement and, very importantly, taking steps to give Iran the future it deserves," he said.
