President Hassan Rouhani says lack of cooperation from the White House prevented a meeting between him and President Trump during the UN general assembly.

In his Wednesday cabinet meeting, Rouhani said the United States would express willingness to meet in private messages to European parties, “but later in interviews would announce that they will increase sanctions.”

Rouhani did not elaborate on whether the willingness was regarding a meeting, negotiation, or lifting sanctions.

The president of the Islamic Republic also mentioned the efforts by France to set up a meeting between Rouhani and Trump, adding: “We cooperated, and it was the White House that prevented it. Iran, Paris, Tokyo, and others were not at fault.

Regarding Macron’s de-escalation plan, Rouhani said: “The plan overall could have been acceptable. It basically said Iran should not seek nuclear weapons, which we have always said that. It said Iran should help protect the waterways in the region, which we always do, and said the US should lift all sanctions.”

After the failure of Macron's efforts in setting up a meeting in New York, Rouhani and Trump made contradictory comments. Rouhani had claimed that Trump was willing to lift all the sanctions for a meeting between the two presidents, but he had rejected it. Trump immediately denied Rouhani’s claim.