‘US must win trust for talks with Iran’

An Iranian legislator says as long as the United States refuses to adopt a confidence-building and practical approach towards Iran, Tehran-Washington relations will not be normalized.

Esmail Kowsari, a member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said on Friday: “Once the United States exhibits a confidence-building and realistic behavior, the Islamic Republic of Iran will take a proper decision concerning talks with the US. Therefore, no decision can be made about negotiations with the United States unless such change of behavior is displayed by Americans.”
He further noted that the US should lift all sanctions imposed on Iran, transfer Iran’s nuclear dossier from the United Nations Security Council to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and unfreeze Iranian assets in order to win Tehran’s trust.
Kowsari stated: “Following these measures, Iran and the United States can enter talks from the same standing.”
Speaking on his first press conference in Tehran on August 6, President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic is closely monitoring all measures taken by the US and will respond properly to Washington’s “practical and constructive” moves.
He said: “What is important for us is the US administration’s practical response and not statements.”
Rouhani also called on Washington to hear the Iranian nation’s message, saying “If we see that the US is serious in resolving the problems, we will also be serious.”