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Obama Says He Spoke to Iran’s President by Phone First Top-Level U.S.-Iran Talk Since 1979
(35 minutes later)
WASHINGTON — President Obama said Friday he had spoken by phone with President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, the first direct contact between the leaders of Iran and the United States since 1979. Mr. Obama, speaking in the White House briefing room, said the two leaders discussed Iran’s nuclear program and said he was persuaded there was a basis for an agreement.WASHINGTON — President Obama said Friday he had spoken by phone with President Hassan Rouhani of Iran, the first direct contact between the leaders of Iran and the United States since 1979. Mr. Obama, speaking in the White House briefing room, said the two leaders discussed Iran’s nuclear program and said he was persuaded there was a basis for an agreement.
Mr. Obama called the discussion an important breakthrough after a generation of deep mistrust and suggested that it could serve as the starting point to an eventual deal on Iran’s nuclear program and a broader renewal of relations between countries that once were close allies. Mr. Obama called the discussion an important breakthrough after a generation of deep mistrust and suggested that it could serve as the starting point to an eventual deal on Iran’s nuclear program and a broader renewal of relations between two countries that once were close allies.
“The test will be meaningful, transparent and verifiable actions, which can also bring relief from the comprehensive international sanctions that are currently in place,” Mr. Obama told reporters. “Resolving this issue, obviously, could also serve as a major step forward in a new relationship between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect.”“The test will be meaningful, transparent and verifiable actions, which can also bring relief from the comprehensive international sanctions that are currently in place,” Mr. Obama told reporters. “Resolving this issue, obviously, could also serve as a major step forward in a new relationship between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect.”
Mr. Obama added, “A path to a meaningful agreement will be difficult. And at this point both sides have significant concerns that will have to be overcome. But I believe we’ve got a responsibility to pursue diplomacy and that we have a unique opportunity to make progress with the new leadership in Tehran.” Mr. Obama added: “A path to a meaningful agreement will be difficult. And at this point both sides have significant concerns that will have to be overcome. But I believe we’ve got a responsibility to pursue diplomacy and that we have a unique opportunity to make progress with the new leadership in Tehran.”
Mr. Obama expressed an interest in meeting Mr. Rouhani during the United Nations General Assembly meeting earlier this week, but Mr. Rouhani demurred, saying there had not been enough time to set up a meeting. But Mr. Obama instructed Secretary of State John Kerry to meet with the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Thursday, and the tempo of diplomacy between Washington and Iran has picked up pace all week.Mr. Obama expressed an interest in meeting Mr. Rouhani during the United Nations General Assembly meeting earlier this week, but Mr. Rouhani demurred, saying there had not been enough time to set up a meeting. But Mr. Obama instructed Secretary of State John Kerry to meet with the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Thursday, and the tempo of diplomacy between Washington and Iran has picked up pace all week.