Conditions for a Trump-Rouhani Meeting Created, States G7 Host President Macron

Aug. 26, 2019 (EIRNS)—French President Emmanuel Macron stated at the closing of the G7 meeting in Biarritz today, that “the conditions for a meeting” between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had been created,” The National, a newspaper serving the U.A.E., reported.

French President Macron said that he hoped that the meeting could take place in the next few weeks: “Nothing is for sure; things are eminently fragile.” He further stressed: “Two things are very important for us: Iran must never have nuclear weapons, and the situation should never threaten regional stability.” Macron said that Rouhani had told him he was open to meeting President Trump.

President Trump said the timeline proposed by Macron—the next weeks—was realistic, and that he believed that Mr. Rouhani would also be in favor: “I think he’s going to want to meet. I think Iran wants to get this situation straightened out.” Presidents Trump and Rouhani are both expected to be in New York City to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, where 74th General Debate begins on Sept. 24

Trump said the G7 countries had “great unity” in their discussions of Iran and appeared to leave the door open to diplomatic talks with it. European countries, which opposed the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 JCPOA agreement on Iran’s nuclear program, have tried to mediate in the past.

President Trump said: “I knew he [Zarif] was coming in, and I respected the fact that he was coming. ... And we’re looking to make Iran rich again. Let’s let them be rich. Let’s let them do well, if they want, or they can be poor as can be. They can be like they are now,” Trump said. He recounted his interchange with President Macron: “Macron...spoke to me [about inviting Zarif to Biarritz]. He asked me. I said, ‘If you want to do that, that’s okay.’ I don’t consider that disrespectful at all, especially when he asked me for approval,” Trump said at a Monday morning meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Foreign Minister Zarif left the summit in France for China.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the “firm will to talk” was a sign of progress, and said it was positive that there was support for a political solution.