Obama speaks by phone with Iran’s president

WASHINGTON – Ending three decades of official estrangement, President Obama spoke by telephone with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday and said he is hopeful the two countries can reach a deal to resolve the long diplomatic standoff on Iran’s disputed nuclear program.

“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 in televised remarks at the White House.

It was the first direct communication between American and Iranian presidents since the 1979 Iranian revolution, when the U.S.-backed shah was overthrown and diplomatic relations were severed. Obama and Rouhani traded letters earlier this month but did not meet this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The call followed a 30-minute, one-on-one meeting Thursday between Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to discuss the nuclear issue, and conciliatory remarks by Rouhani at the U.N. and with American audiences, including comments that repudiated his predecessor’s denial of the Holocaust.

Obama said he was mindful of “the deep mistrust between our countries,” but that the phone call with Rouhani, who was elected in June, “indicates the prospect of moving beyond that difficult history. I do believe that there is a basis for a resolution.”

Obama cited a religious decree issued by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, against the development of nuclear weapons and Rouhani’s assertion that Iran will never develop such weapons.

“I’ve made clear that we respect the right of the Iranian people to access peaceful nuclear energy in the context of Iran meeting its obligations,” Obama said. “So the test will be meaningful, transparent and verifiable actions, which can also bring relief from the comprehensive international sanctions that are currently in place.”

Resolving the Iranian nuclear issue could bring greater stability in the Middle East, Obama said.

“A path to a meaningful agreement will be difficult. And at this point, both sides have significant concerns that will have to be overcome,” he said. “But I believe we’ve got a responsibility to pursue diplomacy and that we have a unique opportunity to make progress with the new leadership in Tehran.”

ALSO:

Syria chemical weapons inspections could begin next week

French diplomat involved in fracas with soldier to leave Israel

Kenya official: Military caused mall collapse during deadly siege

Twitter: @KenDilanianLAT

ken.dilanian@latimes.com