Iran is not ruling out negotiations with the United States even after an American drone strike that killed a top Iranian general.
Mohammed Javad Zarif, the country’s foreign minister said in an interview released Saturday.
There has been growing tension between Washington and Tehran since in 2018, when President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the nuclear deal with Iran.
The U.S. has since re-imposed tough sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy.
But Zarif suggested Iran was still willing to talk, though reiterated his country’s previous demand that first the U.S. would have to lift sanctions.
In Washington, Trump rejected Zarif’s remarks in a tweet.
“Iranian Foreign Minister says Iran wants to negotiate with The United States, but wants sanctions removed,” he tweeted,
Then added, “No Thanks!”
Ali Asghar Zarean, an aide to Iran’s nuclear chief, said Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has exceeded 1,200 kilograms, which is far beyond the 2015 nuclear deal.
“Iran is increasing its stockpile of the enriched uranium with full speed,” he said.
The claim has not been verified by the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog.
Iran has routinely vowed to begin enriching its stockpile of uranium to higher levels closer to weapons grade.
European countries opposed the U.S. withdrawal and have repeatedly urged Iran to abide by the deal.
Under the agreement, Iran agreed to limit its enrichment of uranium under UN inspectors watch in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
Zarif did suggest Iran was also still prepared for conflict with the U.S., though was not specific.
“The U.S. has inflicted great harm on the Iranian people,” he said.
“The day will come when they will have to compensate for that. We have a lot of patience.”
