Iran Foreign Minister says US giving 'contradictory signals' on nuclear deal

United Nations, Jul 18: Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is in Washington to meet US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, has said Tehran is receiving 'contradictory signals' from the US administration about the fate of the nuclear deal.

In New York to attend a UN forum on development, Zarif said he was open to speak with Tillerson as Washington carries out a review of the 2015 agreement reached with world powers on curbing Iran's nuclear program.

'There are no communications between myself and Secretary Tillerson,' Zarif said at an



event at the Council on Foreign Relations.

'It doesn't mean there can't be. The possibilities for engagement... have always been open,' he added.

President Donald Trump campaigned on a pledge to scrap the nuclear agreement -- which he described as 'the worst deal ever' -- and in May ordered a review of the pact.

'We receive contradictory signals,' Zarif said when asked about the possible outcome of the review.

'It's very clear that Iran is serious about the nuclear deal and we believe the nuclear deal can lay the foundation,' he said.