Foreign Minister Javad Zarif remarked that “the repeated statements by Secretary of State Pompeo that Iran must change its policies in order for Iranians to eat is pure economic terrorism”. He added that “while President Trump may want a photo op, the U.S. isn't interested in talks; rather, Iran's submission. That will never happen”. Zarif, appearing to allude to 31 July U.S. sanctions against him, further noted that “an example of U.S. tactics [is] threatening to designate somebody in two weeks unless he accepts your invitation to chat in the Oval Office”. He added that is was “time for regional leaders to focus on regional solutions: dialogue and [a] non-aggression pact is a good start”.