Obama speaks with Iranian president, says nuclear deal possible
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President Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani thawed a three-decade freeze in relations between their two countries Friday, speaking by phone in the first conversation between an American and Iranian president since 1979.
The president revealed Friday afternoon that the two leaders had spoken. He said he believes the two countries can reach a “comprehensive solution” on Iran’s nuclear program, and said he and Rouhani had both directed their diplomats to pursue an agreement.
“I do believe there is a basis for a resolution,” he said.
The call is sure to rankle some U.S. lawmakers, as well as Israeli leaders, cautious about engaging the new Iranian president too quickly. The conversation also came amid a bruising battle on Capitol Hill over the budget, stoking complaints that Obama is ignoring Republicans while engaging America’s adversaries. Kevin Smith, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner tweeted: “[Obama] negotiates with Iran, Putin but not Congress #shocking.”
The call comes after Secretary of State John Kerry met Thursday in New York with his Iranian counterpart on the sidelines of the United Nations session.
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