In comments in a gathering of Iranian clerics in Tehran on Monday evening, Rouhani said despite being an advocate of diplomacy, he is strongly opposed to any negotiations with the US.
“Today’s circumstances are not suitable for negotiations at all, as our conditions today are those of resistance and fortitude,” he underlined, pointing to the US government’s push for direct talks with Tehran.
Referring to the fierce economic war on Iran, the president emphasized the need for unity and consistence to overcome the challenges.
Touching on the enemy’s attempts to pressure Iran into starting confrontation and tensions, Rouhani said his administration will go down in history for not being the starter of a conflict.
He finally said that the general consensus among the people and officials is that Iran must stand against the US and its sanctions.
Last week, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined that there will be no military confrontation between Iran and the US as Washington is aware that it won’t be in its interest, adding that negotiation with the US is not on the Islamic Republic’s agenda either.
“The Iranian nation’s definite option will be resistance in the face of the US, and in this confrontation, the US would be forced into a retreat,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. “Neither we nor they, who know war will not be in their interest, are after war.”