In small steps and encouraging statements, Iran’s leaders appear to be opening a door more widely to detente in their nuclear dispute with the U.S. Cautiously optimistic yet still skeptical, Washington is weighing whether Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s recent overtures actually represent new policies or just new packaging.
“Negotiations with the Iranians is always difficult,” President Barack Obama said in a recent interview with ABC News. “I think this new president is not going to suddenly make it easy. But, you know, my view is that if you have both a credible threat of force, combined with a rigorous diplomatic effort, that, in fact, you can strike a deal.”
Both Obama and Rouhani will be in New York next week for the annual meeting of the U.N. General Assembly.
The White House hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a direct exchange, though spokesman Jay Carney said no meeting is scheduled.
Obama has long said he would be open to discussions with his Iranian counterparts if Tehran shows it is serious about curbing its nuclear program.
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