“We are not running away from negotiations,” Khalaj said Sunday, speaking at an international conference titled “International Law Under Attack: Aggression and Defense” in Tehran.
Meanwhile, an adviser to the Iranian leader added: “But we are not prepared to negotiate under pressure by force or criminal acts.”
“So my advice to Mr. Trump is to adopt a positive approach and show that you are willing to negotiate on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and he will see what the outcome is,” Karaji added.
“The president should also know that the United States will not stop enriching (uranium) for peaceful purposes, nor will we give up our defense capabilities or independence,” he said.
Karaji, chairman of the Tehran-based Strategic Council on Foreign Relations (SCFR), added: “Iran has always shown its readiness for negotiations, but negotiations based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. The problem is that the Americans are not ready for such negotiations. They want to rely on economic pressure to advance their unjust goals. This method is rejected and Iranians stand against bullying.”
MNA/TSN3449425