Fatima-ezzahra Abkari- Rabat- President Barack Obama and new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke by telephone on Friday, to reach an agreement on Tehran's nuclear program.
Fatima-ezzahra Abkari- Rabat- President Barack Obama and new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke by telephone on Friday, to reach an agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program.
The long-fractured relationship between the United States and Iran took a significant turn when the two leaders spoke for the first time since the Tehran hostage crisis in 1979.
On Friday, however, the Iranians expressed interest in a phone discussion before Rouhani left the United States, according to a senior administration official. The White House quickly arranged the call, which took place at 2:30 pm (1830 GMT) and lasted about 15 minutes.
“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 interests and mutual respect,” President Obama, referring to Tehran’s nuclear program, told reporters at the White House after the 15-minute phone call.
He also said this was a unique opportunity to make progress with Tehran over an issue that has isolated it from the West
The call ended on a polite note, according to the official and Mr. Rouhani’s Twitter account.
“Have a nice day,” Mr. Rouhani said.
“Thank you. Khodahafez (goodbye)” President. Obama replied.
The conversation was the first between Iranian and American leaders since 1979 when President Jimmy Carter spoke by telephone with Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi shortly before the shah left the country, according to Iran experts.
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