Trump predicts talks with Iran

TAMPA — US President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday that talks with arch foe Iran were imminent, but the idea has been criticized in Tehran, with the country's foreign minister warning that "PR stunts won't work."

Tehran has not given a definitive response to Trump's statement that he would meet "any time" without preconditions, but skepticism is rife in Iran over the possibility, with one lawmaker saying negotiations would be a "humiliation."

"I have a feeling they'll be talking to us pretty soon," Trump told a rally in Tampa, Florida, before adding: "And maybe not, and that's OK too."

He also used the occasion to again blast the "horrible, one-sided" 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers from which the American president withdrew.

"It's a horror show," Trump said.

"I hope it works out well with Iran. They are having a lot of difficulty right now."

The US is set to start reimposing full sanctions on Iran from August 6 -- a move that has already contributed to a major currency crisis with the rial losing two thirds of its value in six months.

Several Iranian public figures said it was impossible to imagine negotiations with Washington after it tore up the nuclear deal in May.

"Iran & US had 2 yrs of talks. With EU/ E3+Russia+China, we produced a unique multilateral accord -- the JCPOA (nuclear deal). It's been working. US can only blame itself for pulling out & leaving the table," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter.

"Threats, sanctions & PR stunts won't work. Try respect: for Iranians & for (international) commitments," he said.

Ali Motahari, deputy speaker of parliament, also weighed in.