Iran and the United States held their highest-level talks in a
generation on Thursday, saying the tone was positive. Both sides, however,
cautioned that that resolving long-running standoff over Iran's nuclear program
would take some time. Iran and the six major powers will now meet in Geneva
next month to continue today’s talks. (Reuters, 26 September)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met one-on-one after the meeting of the foreign ministers of the seven countries. Kerry called the talks "very constructive."
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met one-on-one after the meeting of the foreign ministers of the seven countries. Kerry called the talks "very constructive."
"We had a very constructive meeting," Kerry told reporters after the
talks. "Needless to say, one meeting and a change in tone, which was welcome,
doesn't answer (all) questions yet and there is a lot of work to be done." (Reuters, 26 September)
"I am satisfied with this first step," Iranian foreign minister told reporters. "Now we have to see whether we can match our positive words with serious deeds so we can move forward."
"Of course as we move forward, there has to be removal of sanctions and in the end game there has to be a total lifting of all sanctions and both bilateral sanctions, unilateral sanctions as well as multilateral sanctions and U.N. sanctions and we hope to be able to move in that direction within a short span of time," Zarif added.
"I am satisfied with this first step," Iranian foreign minister told reporters. "Now we have to see whether we can match our positive words with serious deeds so we can move forward."
"Of course as we move forward, there has to be removal of sanctions and in the end game there has to be a total lifting of all sanctions and both bilateral sanctions, unilateral sanctions as well as multilateral sanctions and U.N. sanctions and we hope to be able to move in that direction within a short span of time," Zarif added.
Photo credit: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign
Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sitting next to one another in a good will
gesture at the meeting of foreign ministers of Iran and the six major powers
discussing Iranian nuclear program. The
UN, 26 September 2013. (AFP)
Good title for this post. I agree, happier times.
ReplyDeleteNew faces, new voices, a breath of fresh air to a new beginning.
ReplyDeleteA new beginning for enemies' futile hopes...
DeleteThat's what Gaddafi felt too, back in 2003. His reconciliatory efforts far exceeded Iranian ones - past/present/future. Didn't he try to normalize relations with Europe and US? Yes. Didn't he meet with Western leaders and shook hands and smiled with them? Yes. ... Did it make any difference in the end? No. Did it save his regime? No.
ReplyDeleteThe west has something in store for the Iranian regime too... Wait for it...
-Really happy times for those seeking real freedom from imperialism!!-
Delete@-As the global economy limps from a worse stage to the other,the empire [US] agonizes to see IRAN standing out of its calculations.Although many people might agree that ,the sanctions on Iran have brought some difficulties on its citizens,the truth is that the sanction regime was one of the most unwise decisions on the part of the US.
@Many silent observers new that this whole circus wont go on for long before threatening to break someones back!!.The clumsy rounds and rounds of sanctions AND HOT AIR we have been seeing from the US lived to its billing as being mere tantrums of a semi-divorced lady seeking some precious attention from Her busy and less caring husband !!!.
@-How can the US pretend that it can run its empire harmoniously with IRAN,the world's most important Nation in terms of oil and gas!..Surely it is impossible and we dare then remove the sanctions- countries like Greece that are struggling will never be the same again!.
@-SO THEN indeed ,its happier times as the Donkey[US empire] realizes that the load of self imposed sanctions is too heavy and costly, and the mountain is too steep for HER to climb with its three legs !!!.
-as the curtain finally falls on the cruel sanctions engineered by the US ,the world will meet IRAN needing only ten years to make the final dash to joining the first world thanks to its resolve ! and it is IRAN that will tell the world that any Nation can move along and reach some heights without being anyone's stooge and puppet!.
Anon 8:11 AM......I agree with you.You can cut a mans throat with a smile.
DeleteI can hardly wait...............
Deletenormalizing relationships doesn't make a somewhat semi-sane dictator impervious to having to finally give up power after 4 decades of usurpation.
when a "regime" is nothing more than the dictatorship of a single person, it can not endure..... and Gaddafi's regime sorta sucked, sonny. why should it have endured and why should Gaddafi have continued to rule over the country?
Anon 8:11AM
DeleteCongratulations for a perfect diagnosis of the recent events' significance...
So what's going to happen to "Marg Bar Amrika!" :o)
ReplyDeleteOh wait a minute,the US and Britain always supported this regime from its inception.
AnonymousSeptember 27, 2013 at 8:11 AM
ReplyDeleteWell said,but gaddafis biggest mistake was trusting the west,even if iran and the west agree to a deal on the nuclear issue I dont see iran making the mistakes gaddafi did
IRNA reports today Rohani und obama talked by phone
ReplyDelete