Report: US to discuss renewal of diplomatic ties with Iran if nuclear deal reached
'The London Times' reports that talks between the two nations are being held this week to discuss thawing relations that have been frozen since 1979.
By JPOST.COM STAFFIranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (L) and US Secretary of State John Kerry(photo credit: REUTERS)The London Times reported on Monday morning that the United States was ready to discuss renewing diplomatic ties with Iran if a nuclear deal was reached.The report states that talks between officials from both sides were happening this week in Baku, Azerbaijan in addition to the nuclear talks that are being held between the P5+1 to clinch a deal before the November 24 deadline.The United States has already denied the report, according to The Times. Ties between the US and Iran ended in 1979 during the Islamic Revolution.Last week, reports surfaced that US President Barack Obama sent a secret letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last month stressing the two countries' shared interest in fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.According to the Wall Street Journal, the letter in mid-October said cooperation between the United States and Iran on combating the militant group was tied to a deal being reached between Iran and other nations on its nuclear program.Speaking to Bob Schieffer of CBS News’ Face the Nation, the president distanced himself from Iran’s leadership despite reports of the alleged letter sent to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.“Iran has influence over Shi’a both in Syria and in Iraq,” he said, acknowledging shared interest in the defeat of Islamic State in both countries.He declined to comment on the existence of a letter to the ayatollah, but insisted the US would not cooperate militarily with Iran over the extremist threat.“We are not connecting in any way” the nuclear negotiations with discussions over Islamic State, he continued.MIchael Wilner contributed to this report.
