Iran's president says ready to meet 'an individual' for national interests

TEHRAN - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said here Monday that he is open to meet "an individual" if national interests are at stake, official IRNA news agency reported.

"Iran should use any tools at hand to guarantee national interests," Rouhani was quoted as saying.

If meeting someone is needed to help solve the problems of the country, he would do it, Rouhani said, adding that "what is important is our national interest."

"Every means must be used in order to protect the country's national interests," he noted without further elaboration on the individual that he hinted to meet.

The remarks by Rouhani followed Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's surprise Sunday visit to the French seaside town of Biarritz, the venue of the 45th G7 summit, and his subsequent comments about Iran's resolution to settle problems with the United States through diplomatic means.

"Iran's active diplomacy in pursuit of constructive engagement continues," Zarif tweeted on Sunday. "Road ahead is difficult. But worth trying," he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said that the condition has been prepared for the meeting between the US President Donald Trump and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani.

Macron expressed hope that the meeting could take place in the next few weeks.