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Rouhani Postpones Europe Visit Due to Paris Attacks


FILE - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks in Tehran after returning from the annual United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 29, 2015.
FILE - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks in Tehran after returning from the annual United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 29, 2015.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has postponed his much-anticipated four-day European visit after attacks in Paris.

Rouhani called the attacks "crimes against humanity."

The Iranian president had planned to visit Italy, the Vatican and France in a trip aimed at boosting business and diplomatic ties after years of crippling international sanctions because of Iran's controversial nuclear program.

In what would have been the first Iranian presidential visit Europe in more than a decade, Rouhani was to meet with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi Saturday, and holds talks with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

He had planned to arrive Sunday in Paris for various meetings Monday and talks with French President Francois Hollande on Tuesday.

There is no word on when the trip might be rescheduled.

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