This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
Published on September 27, 2019, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that the US offered to lift sanctions in exchange for talks during a meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York.
According to Rouhani, the German Chancellor, UK Prime Minister, and French President insisted that the meeting occur and that the US would lift the sanctions.
However, US President Donald Trump denied the offer, stating on Twitter, "Iran wanted me to lift the sanctions imposed on them in order to meet. I said, of course, NO!"
Rouhani emphasized that the US-Iran talks cannot happen until Washington lifts sanctions and ends its policy of "maximum pressure" on Tehran.
Escalating tensions between Iran and the US began in May 2018 when Trump pulled out of the landmark 2015 nuclear accord and began reimposing sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.
