Ties between the U.S and Iran have been very controversial and hectic, yet today marks what seems to be a major breakthrough amongst nations as President Obama spoke with the Iranian President which hasn’t been done by a U.S president in 3 decades!!! Hit the jump for more detail!
Huffpost reports: “President Barack Obama said Friday that he spoke by telephone with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in what was the first communication between the leaders of the two countries since the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The call came after U.S. officials said earlier this week that the two would not meet at the U.N. General Assembly. The officials said that a meeting would be too “complicated” for the Iranians given the country’s internal politics.”
The initial call was made by Rouhani’s team, reported Obama’s administration and the Iranian president “expressed a desire” to speak with President Obama Friday, before boarding a flight to his home in Tehran. The quick call was allegedly 15 minutes long and straight to the point! The two discussed background information in order to further discuss their current ongoing issues. Obama stated:
“The two of us discussed our ongoing efforts to reach an agreement over Iran’s nuclear program,” said Obama. “I reiterated to President Rouhani what I said in New York: while there were surely be important obstacles to moving forward and success is by no means guaranteed, I believe we can reach a comprehensive solution.”
“Resolving this issue could 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,” he said.
The two also spoke about the ongoing conflict involving American Hostages:
“Amir Hekmati and Saeed Abedini, both of whom are currently in Iranian custody, and Robert Levinson, who went missing in Iran in 2007. Obama urged Rouhani and the Iranian government to help the Americans get home to their families”
Although they doubt that they will be having regular phone calls, this is definitely a break through for both nations relations!
