Macron says Trump and Rouhani not meeting would be a lost opportunity

As per reports, French President Emmanuel Macron has said that UN Summit will be a 'lost opportunity' if Iranian President Hassan Rouhani did not meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines. Speculation has been high about whether or not Trump and Rouhani would meet. Trump hasn't ruled out the possibility of a meeting despite one not being scheduled.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also told Rouhani that he should meet Donald Trump. 

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Macron: Must meet else, a lost opportunity

As per reports, in a three-way chat with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Rouhani, Macron remarked that if Rouhani left that country without meeting Donald Trump then honestly it shall be a lost opportunity. Macron said that Rouhani would not come back in a few months and that Trump would not visit Iran so they had to meet now.

French President Emmanuel Macron has been at the forefront to set up a meet of historical consequences between leaders of the two nations for years now.

During the same meeting, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly said that he seconded Macron's remarks about Rouhani meeting Trump. Johnson told Rouhani that he must meet on the same side of the swimming pool and jump at the same time.

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Recent developments

The relationship between Washington and Tehran has been terse since the US pulled out of Iran's nuclear deal last year, and has increased pressure to curb Iran's nuclear programme. Washington-Tehran tensions further rose in recent days after the United States imposed more sanctions on Iran and blamed the country for the recent attacks on Saudi oil sites.

While France and the UK both have sided with the US on blaming Iran for the attacks, Macron hopes that a one-on-one can help dissipate tensions between Iran and the United States.

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(With Agency inputs)