Rouhani says U.S. isolated on Iran sanctions, even among allies

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says his country will continue its economic relations with the rest of the world despite more sanctions by the United States.

Speaking after a meeting with government leaders, Rouhani said Saturday: "We are very hopeful that the trend of economic engagement with the world will continue as before."

Rouhani also said the United States was more isolated than ever over sanctions against Iran, even among its allies, in remarks carried live on state television.

"Today, we are in conditions in which the United States is more isolated than ever over the sanctions issue. America's illegal actions ... have even isolated it among its own allies as we just saw," Rouhani said, referring to protests held in Britain against the visit of President Donald Trump.

Rouhani says the sanctions target ordinary Iranians, and adding his administration will provide the essential needs of Iranians.

Iran is in an economic crisis fueled by the U.S. decision May 8 to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal and restore sanctions. International firms have mostly left Iran and the U.S. has demanded allies stop buying Iranian oil.