TEHRAN - Resuming friendly ties with the U.S. is possible but the key is in Washington, said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

“If the key was in Tehran I would have already used that,” Rouhani said at a press conference in Rome wrapping up his Italy visit on Wednesday.

He added that the U.S. should take steps to improve ties with the Islamic Republic, and called on Washington to stop enmity and pressure against Iran.

“America should know that regional issues won’t be resolved without Iran,” stressed the president, adding the U.S. should leave the past behind and look forward.

Rouhani also said that the American side has taken small steps regarding economic issues, such as removing ban on plane sells to Iran.

“Today, under the current conditions, Iran welcomes U.S. investment in the country,” he said, adding Tehran has no problem with U.S. investors’ presence in the country for joint production and technology transfer.

The Iranian president further touched upon the issue of terrorism, saying the Islamic Republic is ready to cooperate with other countries in fighting terrorism.

“Iran itself has been a victim of terrorism,” Rouhani said, adding he has discussed the fight against terrorism with Italian officials.

------ ‘Saudis are angry due to failure of their regional plans’

During the press conference, Rouhani was asked about Tehran-Riyadh ties, to which he answered that Iran isn’t seeking tensions in ties with Saudi Arabia.

“Iran and Saudi Arabia are important regional Muslim powers,” he said, adding that Saudis are “angry due to failure of their regional plans.”

“They had plans for Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, which failed,” Rouhani said, accusing the Saudi Arabia of “supporting terrorists in the region”.

He also strongly criticized Saudi attacks on Yemen, urging to halt the war.

Rouhani said he immediately condemned the attack on Saudi embassy, but rejected the need for apologizing to Saudis on the issue.

“It is Saudi Arabia that should apologize for killing Nimr, Yemenis, and for the fatal Hajj mismanagement,” Rouhani stressed.

He also expressed regret over al-Nimr’s execution, saying the cleric wasn’t involved in terrorism or any dangerous activities.

Rouhani further urged to restore security in the region, saying the terrorist group Daesh is a major problem in the region.

------ Zarif: Rouhani’s Italy visit to open new chapter in ties

The president’s visit to Italy will trigger the expansion of bilateral ties between Italy and Iran, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif believes.

“Opening a new chapter in close cooperation with Italy- both in economy and trade, and in combating extremism,” Zarif tweeted on Wednesday.

SP/P