Obama, Iran's Rouhani hold historic phone call

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: Reuters

U.S. President Barack Obama and new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held a historic phone call on Friday, in the highest level conversation between the estranged nations in more than three decades.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Obama said both men had directed their teams to work expeditiously toward an agreement on Iran's nuclear program. He said this was a unique opportunity to make progress with Tehran over an issue that has isolated it from the West.

"While there will surely be important obstacles to moving forward and success is by no means guaranteed, I believe we can reach a comprehensive solution," Obama said.

Rouhani, in a Twitter account believed to be genuine, said that in the conversation he told Obama "Have a Nice Day!" and Obama responded with "Thank you. Khodahafez (goodbye)." He added that the two men "expressed their mutual political will to rapidly solve the nuclear issue."

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/27/us-un-assembly-iran-idUSBRE98Q16S20130927

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Go peace!

[Berlin Expat]

1. This is good to see.

I'm aware that the real power in Iran lies with Ayatollah Ali Khameni; however, you gotta start somewhere.

Kudos to President Obama for a nice touch of personal diplomacy. Hopefully, it will bear fruit.

[Tx4obama]

2. The last time a US president spoke with an Iranian head of state was in 1979

[leftynyc]

3. Wow

This is really huge news. While I'm sure neither side really trusts the other, you have to start somewhere.

[QuestForSense]

4. Some good news.

Last edited Fri Sep 27, 2013, 09:16 PM - Edit history (1)

I watched and listened carefully to Rouhani's speech at the U.N. What I heard was a simultaneous translation, of course, but to me (a nobody), his words were warm and rang true. No one can rebuild a bridge of trust without speaking to the heart, and he spoke to mine. Obama's response pleases me more than I can say.

Give peace a chance.

[JDPriestly]

5. Everyone is optimistic because of the renewed commitment to peace that the Obama administration

has demonstrated.

We are a long way from achieving peace. A nuclear program in Iran that could be used to create weapons would be a big step backward for the world. But it is too soon to get too optimistic.

This is the first step, but a promising one.

Before we start talking about reducing stockpiles in nations already on the nuclear weapons list, we need to stop new nations from joining the list. There are ways to share technology that reduce the danger to us all.

Think Fukushima. We need international supervision of all sites where nuclear material is present.

[KinMd]

6. If they keep this up, they'll ruin a prefectly good chance for a war

[BeyondGeography]

7. “Wow, this is fantastic."

Good article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/28/world/middleeast/in-iran-phone-call-reaction.html?hp&_r=0

“Wow, this is fantastic,” said Armin Kay, an engineer reacting to the news. “The most important thing is that Obama took the initiative. This will go down really well with our leadership.”

[Drunken Irishman]

8. Obama the warmonger warmongering.

Impeach!