Iran is wary of Trump offer on talks, but not ruling them out

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran reacted skeptically Tuesday to President Donald Trump saying that he’s willing to negotiate with his Iranian counterpart “any time,” but top officials did not reject a sit-down out of hand.

Ali Akbar Nategh Nouri, a senior cleric and member of the influential Expediency Council, said Trump’s suggestion Monday that he would be willing to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani should not be categorically rejected.

“It should be discussed in the Supreme National Security Council,” said Nategh Nouri, who is also a former aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Nategh Nouri said “we have to contemplate” the gesture, but also cautioned “we should not rejoice over this offer and not get excited.”

“Trump may take advantage of this over-excitement,” he said, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. “It could be a test for us.”

Trump pulled the U.S. out of a deal with several major powers and Iran earlier this year that was meant to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. The president has also said, however, that as renewed sanctions kick in, he expected Iran would call and offer to return to the negotiating table, and that “we’re ready to make a real deal.”

On Monday he said he could meet with the Iranians with “no preconditions,” adding that “if they want to meet, I’ll meet any time they want.”

However, some high-ranking Iranian officials said Tuesday there would be no direct talks unless the United States rejoins the 2015 nuclear agreement.

An adviser to President Hassan Rouhani indicated that the Islamic Republic could not trust an administration that unilaterally withdrew from the landmark nuclear pact.

“Respecting the Iranian nation’s rights, reducing hostilities and returning to the nuclear deal are steps that can be taken to pave the bumpy road of talks between Iran and America,” said the adviser, Hamid Aboutalebi, according to the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency.

Britain, along with China, Germany, France, Russia and the European Union, are negotiating with Iran on preserving the deal.