Donald Trump says he knew Iranian foreign minister was going to G7 talks

US President says French leader Emmanuel Macron sought his approval to invite Javad Zarif

Donald Trump said there had been unity by G7 countries over Iran. AFP

US President Donald Trump insisted he knew that  Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif would attend G7 talks and said French leader Emmanuel Macron sought his approval before inviting the minister.

Mr Trump said the G7 countries had had “great unity” in their talks about Tehran and appeared to leave the door open to diplomatic talks with Iran.

Mr Zarif, who has been sanctioned by the US, unexpectedly flew into France on Sunday. The Iranian economy is struggling after the US reimposed sanctions  after pulling out of a pivotal 2015 nuclear deal that put limits on  the enrichment of Tehran.

Tensions have soared between the two countries and  European heavyweights, who did not support  the withdrawal of Washington from the 2015 agreement, have tried to mediate.

"I knew [Zarif] was coming in and I respected the fact that he was coming in. We're looking to make Iran rich again, let them be rich, let them do well, if they want," Mr Trump said.

Initial reports said the US president had been very angry over  the attendance of Iran at the talks in Biarritz, France.

“He spoke to me, he asked me, I said if you want to do that, that’s OK,” Mr Trump said in reference to Mr Macron.

"I don't consider that disrespectful at all, especially when he asks me for approval," he said at a Monday morning meeting with  Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Mr Zarif has since left France for China.

While Mr Trump said there had been a united stance on Iran,  Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel  gave a warning that there was still some way to go.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump pose during a joint press conference in Biarritz, south-west France on August 26, 2019. AFP

An Iranian government plane is seen on the tarmac at Biarritz airport in Anglet during the G7 summit, August 25, 2019. Reuters

French President Emmanuel Macron receives Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during a meeting in the city hall of Biarritz, southwestern France, on the sidelines of the G7 summit. AFP / Javad Zarif's official twitter account

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Hassan Rouhani speaks in a conference in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. Rouhani defended his foreign minister's surprise visit to the G-7 summit, saying he ready to go anywhere to negotiate a way out of the crisis following the US pullout from the nuclear deal. Iranian Presidency Office via AP

(Left to right) Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, European Council President Donald Tusk, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, US President Donald Trump, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, France's President Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attend a working session on "International Economy and Trade, and International Security Agenda" in Biarritz, south-west France. AFP

US President Donald Trump and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shake hands during a bilateral meeting at the Bellevue centre in Biarritz, south-west France. AFP

Britain's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson meets with President of the European Council, Donald Tusk at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France. Getty Images

US President Donald Trump with wife and US First Lady Melania Trump as they disembark from an airplane upon landing at the Biarritz Pays Basque Airport in Biarritz on the opening day of the G7 summit in France. EPA

Security members are seen on top of the Hotel du Palais summit venue ahead of the G7 summit in Biarritz, France. Reuters

US President Donald Trump walks past French airforce soldiers after disembarking from an airplane upon landing at the Biarritz Pays Basque Airport in Biarritz, south-west France on the first day of the annual G7 Summit. AFP

European Council President Donald Tusk speaks during a news conference on the margins of the G7 summit in Biarritz, France. Reuters

Protestors hold portraits representing G7 leaders on the opening day of the G7 summit. EPA

US President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon landing at the Biarritz Pays Basque Airport in Biarritz on the opening day of the G7 summit in Biarritz, France. EPA

French President Emmanuel Macron,flanked by President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region Alain Rousset, samples local produce and wine, as he tours the exhibition hall above the international press center on the opening day of the G7 summit, in Anglet, France. Reuters

A placard reading 'stop climate crime' is seen as demonstrators take part in a march in Hendaye, south-west France to protest against the annual G7 Summit. AFP

Attac and Alternatives G7 spokesperson Aurelie Trouve speaks during a news conference in Anglet near Biarritz as part of the G7 summit, France. Reuters

Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump , Akie Abe, wife of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chile's First Lady Cecilia Morel, Jenny Morrison, wife of Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and Malgorzata Tusk, wife of European Council President Donald Tusk visit a church in Espelette, near Biarritz, southwestern France. AP

Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte, right, arrives at the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France. AP

But there was an agreement that Iran could not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

"We've come to a conclusion, more or less. But the biggest part of the conclusion: They can't have nuclear weapons," Mr Trump said.

Ms Merkel said the "firm will to talk" was a sign of progress and added it was positive that there was support for a political solution.

“There is an atmosphere at this summit in which talks are welcome, talks of Europe with Iran and especially of France with Iran,” she said. “This happens in coordination with the U.S. and that’s already a lot.”

She did not reveal if Mr Trump was prepared to accommodate any move toward alleviating sanctions against Iran.