Obama says Syria deal could offer lesson for Iran talks [View all]

[ProSense]

Obama says Syria deal could offer lesson for Iran talks

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON | Sun Sep 15, 2013 10:39am EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama disclosed in a television interview broadcast on Sunday that he had exchanged letters with new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and said diplomacy on Syria, backed up by a military threat, is a potential model for negotiating over Tehran's nuclear ambitions...on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Obama did not reveal details of the letter exchange, but made clear that U.S. concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions are a "far larger issue for us" than Syria's chemical weapons.

He and Rouhani will speak at the U.N. General Assembly next week on the same day although there is no plan for them to meet.

<...>

"They shouldn't draw a lesson that we haven't struck, to think we won't strike Iran. On the other hand, what they should draw from this lesson is that there is the potential of resolving these issues diplomatically," said Obama.

<...>

Regarded as a relative moderate, Rouhani has made conciliatory statements toward Washington since coming to office last month. However, Obama said he doubted Rouhani would "suddenly make it easy" to negotiate with the Iranians.

- more -

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/15/us-syria-crisis-usa-idUSBRE98D09C20130915