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Obama urges Iran to work toward nuke deal

Xinhua, December 30, 2014

• U.S. President Barack Obama, in an interview aired on Monday, challenged Iran to seize the chance to ink a deal with the world powers over its controversial nuclear program to make way for better relations with the United States.

  The president told the National Public Radio (NPR) that he thinks such a deal is "possible" and will lead to sanctions lifted on the Islamic republic and its reintegration into the international community.

  "If we can take that big first step, then my hope would be that that would serve as the basis for us trying to improve relations over time," said Obama, in response to the possibility of reopening U.S. embassy in Tehran in his final two years in office.

  U.S. and Cuba moved on Dec. 17 to normalize relations following a bitter rivalry that has lasted for more than half a century, with an American embassy expected to be reestablished in Havana within months.

  "But in order for us to, I think, open that aperture with respect to Iran, we have to get this nuclear issue resolved -- and there's a chance to do it, and the question's going to be whether or not Iran is willing to seize it," Obama told the NPR.

  While acknowledging Iran has "legitimate defense concerns," the president stressed that Washington would not tolerate Tehran's adventurism, its support for organizations like the Hezbollah militant group and its threats against Israel.

  "They've got a chance to get right with the world, this is not just about us," he said, adding Iran would emerge as "a very successful regional power" should it break through the current state of isolation ensuing from the tough sanctions imposed over the years by the United Nations, the U.S. and its European allies.

  Iran and the six major powers -- the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia plus Germany -- missed the Nov. 24 deadline for clinching a comprehensive deal over Tehran's nuclear program due to lingering differences on some core issues, but agreed to extend their talks for another seven months.

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