Trump says he called off Rouhani meeting, not Iran

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is confirming that U.S. and Iranian officials discussed a possible meeting or call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at last week’s U.N. General Assembly, but he insists he was the one who called off the plans.

Trump tells reporters Friday that “our sides talked” but says Iran wanted sanctions relief as a condition for the meeting. He says, “I said you must be kidding.” Trump added, “Rouhani wanted a meeting at the U.N.”

Trump was responding to reports that it was the Iranian side that balked at the presidential conversation while at the U.N.

In New York last week, Rouhani urged the United States to cease its “policy of maximum pressure” on his nation, saying it was driving the possibility of negotiations even further away.