First Vice President, Eshagh Jahangiri,

Iran's first vice president, Eshagh Jahangiri said, given continuing US hostility towards Iran, and clear disrespect for the Islamic Republic, negotiations with the United States is out of the question.

According to an Iran Press report, first vice president, Eshagh Jahangiri, speaking on Tuesday night in a meeting with chancellors of 13 Iranian universities and a number of top university professors and academics, referred to America's psychological war and negative media campaigns against Iran, and stressed the enemy wants to dash the hopes of the Iranian people, to disappoint the Iranian people, and paint a gloomy outlook for Iran's future, through a campaign of media lies, misinformation, propaganda, and psychological warfare.

Iran's first vice president added:  "All politicians and elite within the country agree, that given continuing US hostility towards Iran, and clear disrespect towards the Islamic Republic, negotiations with United States is out of the question. We cannot enter into negotiations with the U.S.

Jahangiri pointedly added:  "It is incumbent upon all Iranian officials, to remove any misgivings or concerns which the public may have, particularly young people, with regards to the future of the country, and to give confidence and hope to the public; hope in a bright future for the Islamic Republic".

Elsewhere in his remarks, Jahangiri said "If the people lose their hope, and if they don't have confidence in the future, then the best policies and the best planning will get nowhere.  Thus, our top priority  should be to build up the hope and confidence of the people in the future of their country.  This is what each and every official needs to do".

Turning to the role which universities can play, first vice president, Eshagh Jahangiri, said at this critical juncture, given today's sensitive conditions, academics and universities  must play a key role in solving economic difficulties and other difficulties that we face. Universities must turn into "problem-solving centers", tackling a broad array of problems which the country faces.

  Jahangiri added:  "The enemies are targeting Iran's social capital; all those who care about Iran must united and prevent the plunder of Iran's social capital".