It's the first direct conversation between leaders of the two countries since the Islamic Revolution of 1979--and it could augur a new era in U.S.-Iran relations. The call was placed by Obama, an Iranian official told NBC News.
President Obama and Iranian president Hassan Rouhani spoke by phone Friday afternoon—the first direct conversation between leaders of the two countries since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Obama announced the call—which could augur a new era in U.S.-Iran relations—in a statement he delivered from the White House.
President Obama said that he had directed Secretary of State John Kerry to continue the dialogue with Iran over its nuclear program—an initiative Obama first announced earlier this week.
“We have directed our teams to continue working expeditiously,” Obama said.
Rouhani had broken news of the call in a tweet sent minutes before Obama spoke.
In phone convo, President #Rouhani and President @BarackObama expressed their mutual political #will to rapidly solve the #nuclear issue.— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) September 27, 2013
White House photographer Pete Souza tweeted a picture of the call:
Historic phone call in the Oval Office: Pres Obama talks w Iran Pres Hassan Rouhani this afternoon pic.twitter.com/5EZSOdBouD— petesouza (@petesouza) September 27, 2013
NBC News spoke to an Iranian official who said he witnessed the call. According to the official, Rouhani had just finished his last meetings before departing the Millennium Hotel for the airport, when Obama called. The official said Rouhani was taken aback when he was told Obama was on the line. He said the two spoke for what he estimated was 10 minutes, without an interpreter.
There was speculation earlier this week that the two leaders might find time for a historic handshake when both spoke at the U.N. Tuesday.
News of Friday’s call begins to fulfill the promise of a pledge Obama made in his 2009 inaugural speech.
“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect,” Obama said then. “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
