“Currently we’re not engaged in any negotiation with the US administration,” Mousavi said on Tuesday in his first regular press conference as the foreign ministry spokesman.

IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK

“For now we don’t see any prospect for negotiation. We should wait for developments and [new] conditions,” he added.

He also noted that Iran has not closed the path of diplomacy based on the history of interactions and its political, national, and security considerations.

“This does not mean we’ve pinned our hopes on Europe. We want Europe to fulfil its commitments,” he added.

He also pointed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent softening of rhetoric regarding Iran, and said, “Iran does not pay much heed to words and rhetoric. What matters to us is a change of behavior and approach.”

In a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Monday, Trump told reporters, “I’m not looking to hurt Iran at all. I’m looking to have Iran say no nuclear weapons.”

“No nuclear weapons for Iran and I think we will make a deal,” Trump added.

Trump also touched upon Iran’s great economic potential, saying the Islamic Republic has the chance to turn into a great country.

Mousavi also confirmed reports of Japanese PM Abe’s visit to Iran, saying the exact dates are being finalized.

Asked whether the visit will be aimed at mediating between Tehran and Washington, Mousavi said he would not use the word “mediation” in this case.

However, he added, we listen to the points mentioned by countries which pursue the issue with good faith.

“Mediation has requirements and prerequisites. The tensions between Iran and the U.S. have roots that must be considered. They are rooted in the US’ violation of its commitments and Washington’s economic terrorism.”

Mousavi said Tehran will listen to the points mentioned by its friendly countries. But “we’re not currently in the phase of mediation.”

Mousavi also noted, “According to some reports, a group of managers from the Instrument for Supporting Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) and some companies are going to travel to Iran”.

Concerning detention of an Iranian engineer Jalal Rohollahnejad, 41, who was detained at Nice airport in southern France on February 2 after arriving from Tehran via Moscow, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, said: “Unfortunately, because of the unjust and unilateral sanctions of the United States, some of our compatriots, even citizens of foreign countries that US claims they have violated Washington’s illicit sanctions, suffered some problems in the United States and in some European and Eastern countries.”

Mousavi added: “At that time, we announced that it was unlawful and unacceptable. Because most of the alleged sanctions they arrested on the pretext of violating them were not there at that time, but later added to the sanctions list. The basis of their work was false and illegal. The Islamic Republic of Iran has made every effort to release these individuals, including the aforementioned. There are several issues at various angles, therefore, a special working group has been set up at the Iranian Foreign Ministry which is following these issues. By coordinating the relevant institutions and families of these people, we will try to provide more details about the illegal and inhuman detention of these individuals.”

Elsewhere, he noted Zarif’s recent regional tour to India, Turkmenistan, Syria, Japan, Pakistan and Iraq, saying the visits have been in line with clarifying Iran’s stance. He also voiced hope that a new round of talks would commence with Iran’s northern neighbors at the ministerial and even head of state levels.

Mousavi then criticized European’s flimsy commitment to implementing JCPOA, saying that Iran always gives diplomacy a chance, but that does not mean pinning its hope on Europe.

He also noted that Zarif’s meetings with U.S. senators cannot be translated as holding talks with the US since Congress members are not considered as U.S.  government officials.