President Hassan Rouhani said Iran “never seeks war” with the
US, state media reported Wednesday amid a spike in tensions between
the two countries.
“Iran has no interest to increase tension in the region and it
never seeks war with any country, including (the) US,” the
president said, quoted by state news agency IRNA.
Rouhani was speaking by phone to his French counterpart Emmanuel
Macron, as Tehran and Washington engaged in an escalating war of
words following Iran shooting down a US drone last week.
“We have always been committed to regional peace and stability
and will make efforts in this respect,” the Iranian president told
Macron.
US President Donald Trump said he pulled back from retaliatory
strikes on Iran at the last minute, rejecting Tehran’s claim that
the aircraft was in its airspace.
But pressure mounted this week with Trump announcing sanctions
on Iran’s supreme leader and top officials.
The new measures are the latest against Tehran since Trump
pulled out of a landmark nuclear accord between Iran and world
powers.
Rouhani blamed the United States for regional tensions Wednesday
and said if Washington had stuck to the deal “we would have
witnessed positive developments in the region”.
Iran announced in May it would suspend two of its pledges under
the 2015 deal, giving the agreement’s remaining supporters two
months to help it circumvent US sanctions.
On Tuesday Tehran’s top security official said Iran would
“forcefully” reduce further commitments from July 7.
AFP
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