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Iran Signals an Eagerness to Overcome Old Impasses Iran Signals an Eagerness to Overcome Old Impasses
(about 2 hours later)
Iran’s new foreign minister, an American-educated diplomat, was officially assigned responsibility on Thursday for leading the negotiations with big powers over the disputed Iranian nuclear program, another signal that the country seems eager to overcome the impasses that have stalled those talks for years.Iran’s new foreign minister, an American-educated diplomat, was officially assigned responsibility on Thursday for leading the negotiations with big powers over the disputed Iranian nuclear program, another signal that the country seems eager to overcome the impasses that have stalled those talks for years.
But the foreign minister may have attracted more Western attention with his new Twitter account, using it to wish Jews a happy new year and even have a friendly message exchange with a daughter of Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the House Democratic leader, in which he appeared to dismiss Iran’s previous hard-line administration as history.But the foreign minister may have attracted more Western attention with his new Twitter account, using it to wish Jews a happy new year and even have a friendly message exchange with a daughter of Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the House Democratic leader, in which he appeared to dismiss Iran’s previous hard-line administration as history.
In what seemed like an attempt to exploit the public relations value of the same Western social media that the previous administration found subversive, the foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, wrote “Happy Rosh Hashana” on his new English-language Twitter account.In what seemed like an attempt to exploit the public relations value of the same Western social media that the previous administration found subversive, the foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, wrote “Happy Rosh Hashana” on his new English-language Twitter account.
Ms. Pelosi’s daughter Christine, whose husband is Jewish, responded: “Thanks. The New Year would be even sweeter if you would end Iran’s Holocaust denial, sir.” To which Mr. Zarif responded: “Iran never denied it. The man who was perceived to be denying it is now gone. Happy New Year.”Ms. Pelosi’s daughter Christine, whose husband is Jewish, responded: “Thanks. The New Year would be even sweeter if you would end Iran’s Holocaust denial, sir.” To which Mr. Zarif responded: “Iran never denied it. The man who was perceived to be denying it is now gone. Happy New Year.”
Mr. Zarif, who spent many years studying and working in the United States, was referring to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president, who developed a reputation outside Iran for questioning the Holocaust and other anti-Semitic assertions.Mr. Zarif, who spent many years studying and working in the United States, was referring to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president, who developed a reputation outside Iran for questioning the Holocaust and other anti-Semitic assertions.
Mr. Ahmadinejad, whose two-term limit expired last month, was succeeded by Hassan Rouhani, a cleric who won the June election on a campaign built partly on pledges to ease Iran’s estrangement with the West.Mr. Ahmadinejad, whose two-term limit expired last month, was succeeded by Hassan Rouhani, a cleric who won the June election on a campaign built partly on pledges to ease Iran’s estrangement with the West.
The new Iranian president has not specified how he might alter Iran’s stance on its nuclear energy program, which Western nations and Israel consider a cover for developing the ability to make atomic bombs despite Iran’s repeated denials. But Mr. Rouhani’s choice of Mr. Zarif to oversee the negotiations, which had been handled by the Supreme National Security Council, suggested more diplomatic flexibility by Iran.The new Iranian president has not specified how he might alter Iran’s stance on its nuclear energy program, which Western nations and Israel consider a cover for developing the ability to make atomic bombs despite Iran’s repeated denials. But Mr. Rouhani’s choice of Mr. Zarif to oversee the negotiations, which had been handled by the Supreme National Security Council, suggested more diplomatic flexibility by Iran.
Like Mr. Zarif, Mr. Rouhani also offered a Rosh Hashana greeting via his English-language Twitter account, although Iran’s Fars News Agency said it was not official. Nonetheless, the message was not disavowed by Mr. Rouhani and created a stir in Israel, where The Jerusalem Post prominently noted the contrast with Mr. Rouhani’s predecessor. Mr. Rouhani’s English-language Twitter account also offered a Rosh Hashana greeting, although Iran’s Fars News Agency said it was not official. Nonetheless, the message was not disavowed by Mr. Rouhani and created a stir in Israel, where The Jerusalem Post prominently noted the contrast with Mr. Rouhani’s predecessor.
“As the sun is about to set here in #Tehran I wish all Jews, especially Iranian Jews, a blessed Rosh Hashana,” the message read.“As the sun is about to set here in #Tehran I wish all Jews, especially Iranian Jews, a blessed Rosh Hashana,” the message read.

Dan Bilefsky contributed reporting from Paris.

Dan Bilefsky contributed reporting from Paris.