In his meeting with Ban, Rouhani talked about various issues including the Syrian crisis, climate change and human rights.
Also Ban briefed the Iranian president on developments regarding the upcoming Geneva II conference on Syria.
Rouhani also held a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta and expressed dismay over the U.S.-led sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program.
He insisted that Iran’s nuclear activities are exclusively peaceful and that Tehran was ready to clear up any ambiguities about its nuclear program.
“The sanctions have not had any bearing on Iran’s nuclear program and they have simply exerted pressure on the people,” Rouhani said. “We call these sanctions illegal and inhumane.”
He added that Italy, as a member of the European Union, can help settle the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani called for expansion of economic ties with Italy and said that Tehran, as before, is keen to supply energy to Italy.
Italian PM says Rome can bridge differences between Iran and West
The Italian prime minister, for his part, said that Rome can bridge differences between Iran and the West, noting that his country is keen to be a reliable partner for Tehran.
In a meeting with Rouhani, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the sanctions against the Islamic Republic are in fact hurting the people and called for a revision of the sanctions.
President Rohani also held separate talks in New York with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday and Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Wednesday.
The Iranian president also held a meeting with UN special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi and announced Iran’s readiness to help resolve the Syrian crisis. Rohani said Tehran is willing to participate in the Geneva conference II on Syria.
MNA
END