Rouhani: Situation Not Suitable for Talks, ‘Resistance’ Our Only Choice

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the current conditions vis a vis the United States are not conducive to talks and diplomacy, the Iranian state news agency IRNA reported on Monday. “Today’s situation is not suitable for talks, and our choice is resistance only” IRNA quoted Rouhani as saying. US President Donald Trump warned earlier on Monday that if Iran attempted anything against American assets in the Middle East, it would be met with “great force.” The statement came a day after the US president tweeted: “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!” Tensions have flared between Tehran and Washington since the latter withdrew from the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic, crippling its economy. The US recently sent a fleet of B-52 bombers and Patriot anti-ballistic-missile defense batteries to the region amid reports that Tehran was plotting to target American interests. On Sunday, a rocket was fired into Iraq’s Green Zone, where the US Embassy is based, and US officials reportedly suspect Shi’ite militias connected to Tehran despite official denials from the Islamic Republic.