Donald Trump won’t meet with Iran’s Hassan Rouhani: ‘I am sure he is an absolutely lovely man!’

President Trump said Tuesday he “has no plans” to meet with Iran’s president until the Iranians “change their tune” on destabilizing the Middle East.

“Iran has acted very badly,” Mr. Trump said before giving a speech to the United Nations General Assembly. “I’m not meeting with them until they change their tune. I believe they have no choice.”

Earlier Tuesday, Mr. Trump tweeted that he has rebuffed requests to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The two are both in New York this week for the U.N. assembly.

“Maybe someday in the future,” he tweeted.

Despite requests, I have no plans to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Maybe someday in the future. I am sure he is an absolutely lovely man!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 25, 2018

Mr. Rouhani responded to the president during an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, saying his country received eight requests from American officials, but never reached out for one with Mr. Trump.

“A meeting must take place at a time when that meeting can be beneficial and serve the purposes of both countries,” he said. “I do not see it as beneficial or appropriate. But you should ask him.”

Tensions between Iran and the U.S. have built since Mr. Trump pulled back from the Iranian nuclear deal and the pressure of sanctions have begun to take effect for the Middle Eastern country.

Over the weekend, Iran blamed the U.S. for a deadly attack on its military parade, but top Trump administration officials said the responsibility lies with the Iranian government.

The U.S. plans to reimpose sanctions against Iran in early November. Mr. Trump said he won’t meet with Mr. Rouhani while the country is sponsoring terrorism and threatening Israel.

Mr. Rouhani said Monday that the U.S. doesn’t have the ability to shut off Tehran’s oil exports completely.

“The U.S. is not capable of bringing our oil exports to zero,” he told NBC News. “This is an empty promise and it’s a threat that is empty of credibility. Perhaps on this path we will sustain certain pressures but certainly the United States will not reach its objective.”