‘Conditions created at G7’ for Trump-Rouhani meeting

France’s Emmanuel Macron said yesterday that conditions were right after the G7 summit for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Iranian leader Hassan Rouhani. Mr Trump appeared to confirm his willingness at the G7 summit in Biarritz, south-west France, saying he would meet the Iranian leader if the situation was right. “If the circumstances were correct, I would certainly agree to that,” he said.

Mr Trump said progress could be made, although it “may not be immediately”. But he warned that if Iran failed to agree to being a “good player” it will be met with “very violent force”. Mr Macron said he hoped a summit could take place in the next few weeks. “Nothing is for sure. Things are eminently fragile,” he said. “Two things are very important for us: Iran must never have nuclear weapons and this situation should never threaten regional stability.”

Mr Macron said the Iranian president had told him that he was open to a meeting. Mr Trump said the timeline proposed by Mr Macron was realistic and he believed Mr Rouhani would also be in favour, he added. “I think he’s going to want to meet,” he said. “I think Iran wants to get this situation straightened out.”

Mr Trump and Mr Rouhani are expected to be at the UN General Assembly in New York at the end of September. Mr Trump said he knew Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif would attend G7 talks. He said the G7 countries had “great unity” in their talks about Tehran and appeared to leave the door open to diplomatic talks.