President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the White House, Monday, July 30, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at the White House, Monday, July 30, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Credit: Evan Vucci

Washington — President Donald Trump said on Monday that he’d “certainly meet” with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and without preconditions, if the Iranian leader were willing.

Speaking during a joint news conference with Italy’s premier, Trump said he would meet with the Iranians “anytime they want to.”

“I’ll meet with anybody,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with meeting.”

The overture comes as Trump and the Iranians have been escalating their rhetoric after Trump’s May withdrawal from the landmark nuclear accord. The United States has also vowed to boost sanctions until Iran changes its regional policies, including its support for regional militant groups.

It’s unclear whether Rouhani has any interest in meeting with Trump. Rouhani’s chief of staff claimed earlier this month in Iran’s state-owned newspaper that Rouhani had rejected eight requests from Trump for one-on-one talks last year.