Obama And Rouhani Speak On Phone; First Direct Communication Between US, Iran Leaders Since 1979

A day after Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held sideline talks at the U.N., the U.S. and Iranian presidents held direct communication over the phone for the first time since 1979, President Barack Obama said Friday.

Obama and his counterpart Hassan Rouhani spoke as Rouhani was returning to Tehran after his four-day visit to the UN General Assembly.

"I reiterated to President Rouhani what I said in New York. While there will surely be important obstacles to moving forward and success is by no means guaranteed, I believe we can reach a comprehensive solution," Obama said, referring to the controversy over Iran's nuclear program. Iran says it is meant for civilian energy production, but the U.S. and allies including Israel say it is really meant for weapons development -- and that Iran cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons.

source: http://www.ibtimes.com/obama-rouhani-speak-phone-first-direct-communication-between-us-iran-leaders-1979-1412244