Araqchi says Obama had called for meeting President Rohani

He said in a televised interview that US officials insisted a lot for a meeting but the Iranian delegation did not accept.

On telephone conversation between the two presidents, he said it was President Obama who contacted President Rohani.

He recalled the enthusiasm the global media were displaying to encourage a meeting to take place between the two presidents, and said that the US president requested to hold a meeting with President Rohani.

He dismissed US National Security Advisor Susan Rice remarks alleging that President Rohani called President Obama.

Araqchi said that President Rohani decided to steer clear of the meeting and the US officials contacted Iranian team to arrange the telephone contact.

On upcoming talks between Iran and G5+1 in Geneva on October 15-16, he said Zarif and Ashton will take part in the meeting along with other officials from the negotiating countries.

We had a good assessment in New York, he said adding that Iran is to attend Geneva conference to go ahead with talks.

“We never had 100 present trust in the US and will continue with the same approach in future,” he said.

Trust-building should be step by step and they should admit enrichment of uranium as Iranian legitimate right enshrined by Non-Proliferation Treaty and immediately lift the economic sanctions.
He made it clear that the negotiations must aim to take Iranian nuclear file from UN Security Council.