Chancellor Angela Merkel has rejected the Iranian demands for an end to the sanctions as a precondition for a direct discussion with the US and the West. "I would welcome, of course, if there were talks between the United States of America and Iran," Merkel said.
Previously, she met with US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rohani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The demands of Iran is "not a realistic approach", emphasized the Chancellor. Merkel criticized, "that the conditions, to which discussions could be taken, are always so knitted, from all sides that it does not come to such discussions".
Meanwhile, the US president has threatened to further tighten sanctions. No country should finance "Iran's thirst for blood," Trump warned in his appearance before the UN General Assembly. "As long as Iran continues its threatening behavior, the sanctions will not be lifted, they will be tightened."
"Convinced that Iran bears responsibility"
Previously, Merkel talked with Rohani about the situation in the region after the drone strikes on the Saudi Arabian oil industry and the future of the nuclear deal. The Chancellor emphasized the statement made by Germany, France and the United Kingdom on Iran's responsibility for the attacks on the oil industry the day before. It has been stated that "we are convinced that Iran bears responsibility." The words "responsibility bears" were chosen very consciously. In this context, there was also talk about the Yemen war and how to create more peace in the region.
Merkel also commented on the new developments surrounding the Brexit (you can read all the news here in the Minute Protocol). Great Britain is working on making proposals to the European Union, she said. "It has not happened yet, but I did not expect that either."
The court ruling, according to which the time-out of parliament prescribed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson is illegal, is considered by Merkel to be a matter of domestic debate. I still hope that we (...) will get an orderly exit from the UK. But you are also prepared for something else.
Merkel contradicts Thunberg
She did not want to comment on details from her conversation with climate activist Greta Thunberg. Merely Merkel told the 16-year-olds that she completely disagreed with her in one case.
"Yesterday it gave a startling speech, but also a speech in which, in my view, it was not sufficiently clear how technology, innovation, especially in the field of energy, (...) opens up possibilities for achieving the goals", said Merkel. "We want to use such possibilities. (...) And that's why we attach great importance to this."
