Obama Signaling Iran While Discussing Syria, Confirms Exchange of Letters with Pres Rouhani.

Obama Signaling Iran While Discussing Syria, Confirms Exchange of Letters with Pres Rouhani.HT: UskowiOnIran.

President Barack Obama confirmed publicly for the first time on ABC’s “This Week” that he has exchanged letters with new Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Obama also said he believes his threat to use U.S. military force in Syria, and subsequent pause to pursue diplomacy, sends a signal to the Iran in the ongoing dispute over its contested nuclear program.

“What they should draw from this lesson is that there is the potential of resolving these issues diplomatically,” Obama said. (ABC News, 15 September)

“I think president (Rouhani) is not going to suddenly make it easy,” Obama said. “But you know, my view is that if you have both a credible threat of force, combined with a rigorous diplomatic effort, in fact … you can strike a deal.”

So far, the Iranian reaction to U.S.-Russia deal has been noticeably mute. President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif, who had spoken out against the use of chemical weapons and any military response to recent chemical attacks in Syria, have not yet reacted to the agreement. However, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said today the deal between Russia and the U.S. for the destruction of Syria's chemical arsenal was a sign of “rationality” in American behavior.

“We are hopeful that American politicians have some rationality so they avoid extremist behavior, and the events of the last few days and the decisions that have been taken indicate this rationality,” Larijani said. (ISNA, 15 September) The agreement requires Syria to account for its chemical arsenal within a week. The international inspectors will then have to destroy the chemical stockpile by middle of 2014. The comprehensive agreement also requires Syria to dismantle the manufacturing facilities and to never again produce chemical weapons.

Meanwhile, Israel cautiously welcomed the Syrian deal, saying implementation is key.

“Like any deal it will be judged on its results. We hope it will succeed,” said Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz. (Haaretz, 15 September)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will make a brief stop in Jerusalem on Sunday to brief Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the US-Russia deal. Kerry will then travel to Paris to brief his French and British counterparts Laurent Fabius and William Hague. He is also scheduled to meet with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal while in Paris.Hmmmm......."Israel's Staunchest Ally".