Trumps negotiation proposal nothing but publicity stunt: Zarif

Addressing a ceremony to mark the National Journalists' Day in Tehran on Monday, Zarif pointed to Washington's withdrawal from the historic nuclear accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saying, "Who will believe that Trump wants to negotiate with Iran?"

“The hours of our negotiations with America were perhaps unprecedented in history; then Trump signs something and say all [those negotiations] are void; can you negotiate with this person? Is this [negotiations offer] anything but a publicity stunt?” he asked.

Noting that the purpose and subject of any negotiations must be clear, Iran's top diplomat added, "Negotiations must be worth their while."

Iran's foreign minister also stated that nearly 60 percent of the American people believed that Washington should not withdraw from the JCPOA while more than 180 countries expressed their support for the deal as well.

Washington seeks to create the atmosphere through propaganda that it is willing to negotiate with Tehran, but the Iranian people do not accept this, Zarif said.

The US president said on July 30 that he is ready to meet his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, “any time they want to.”

“It’s good for the country, good for them, good for us and good for the world. No preconditions. If they want to meet, I’ll meet,” Trump said.

In reaction to the US president, Zarif said the US should blame itself for ending talks with Iran when it left the JCPOA.

"Iran & US had 2 yrs of talks. With EU/E3+Russia+China; we produced a unique multilateral accord -- the JCPOA. It’s been working. US can only blame itself for pulling out & leaving the table. Threats, sanctions & PR stunts won’t work. Try respect: for Iranians & for int'l commitments," said Zarif in a post on his official Twitter account.

/SR

Trump's negotiation proposal nothing but publicity stunt: Zarif