President Obama spoke by phone today with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani about ongoing efforts to reach an agreement over Iran’s nuclear program, the first time the heads of these two countries have had direct communications since 1979.
“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,” the president said in a hastily announced statement in briefing room.
Obama underscored the significance of the phone call.
“The very fact that this was the first communication between an American and Iranian president since 1979 underscores the deep mistrust between our countries, but it also indicates the prospect of moving beyond that difficult history,” he said.
The Iranian news agency IRNA confirmed the call and said it took place while Rouhani was in a car and heading towards John F. Kennedy International Airport. Rouhani had been in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
Source: ABC News
