Iran: Obama call not enough to restore relations
Deputy FM's statement likely aimed at calming hardliners suspicious of rapprochement with US
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran says a single phone conversation between the American and Iranian presidents is not a sign that relations with Washington will be quickly restored.
The comments by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appear aimed at calming Iranian hard-liners who oppose rapidly easing the 34-year diplomatic freeze with the US.
Some critics of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani shouted insults after his return from an annual UN gathering in New York, which included a groundbreaking 15-minute call with US President Barack Obama.
Araghchi was quoted by the Fars news agency Sunday as saying “normal relations” with Washington will need more than “a phone call, meeting or negotiations” — a reference to Iran’s efforts to restart stalled talks over its nuclear program.
The US and Iran broke ties after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.