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Leaders of United States and Iran Exchange Letters Leaders of United States and Iran Exchange Letters
(35 minutes later)
TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that President Hassan Rouhani has exchanged letters with President Obama, in what may be a further signal that the Iranian leader’s victory in June elections has created a chance for intensified diplomacy. TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that President Hassan Rouhani had exchanged letters with President Obama, in what may be a further signal that the Iranian leader’s victory in June elections has created a chance for intensified diplomacy.
But, asked about the tone of Mr. Obama’s letter — something the Iranians are extremely sensitive about — Marzieh Afkham, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said Iran expected improvement in the way that Washington talks to Iran. But asked about the tone of Mr. Obama’s letter — something the Iranians are extremely sensitive about — Marzieh Afkham, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, said Iran expected improvement in the way Washington talks to Iran.
“Unfortunately, the U.S. administration is still adopting the language of threat while dealing with Iran,” Ms. Afkham said at a weekly news conference. “We have announced that this needs to change into the language of respect.”“Unfortunately, the U.S. administration is still adopting the language of threat while dealing with Iran,” Ms. Afkham said at a weekly news conference. “We have announced that this needs to change into the language of respect.”
The United States and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since Washington ended ties after the seizure of 52 diplomatic personnel in 1979 following the Islamic revolution. Since his election, Mr. Rouhani has said he is interested in improving relations with the rest of the world, including the United States.The United States and Iran have had no diplomatic relations since Washington ended ties after the seizure of 52 diplomatic personnel in 1979 following the Islamic revolution. Since his election, Mr. Rouhani has said he is interested in improving relations with the rest of the world, including the United States.
Ms. Afkham said the exchange of letters was initiated by President Obama, congratulating Mr. Rouhani on his election victory. Mr. Rouhani “expressed thanks for the congratulations and wrote about some several issues," she said. Ms. Afkham said the exchange of letters was initiated by Mr. Obama, congratulating Mr. Rouhani on his election victory. Mr. Rouhani “expressed thanks for the congratulations and wrote about some several issues,” she said, without elaborating on what they were.
She did not say what the issues were. Iran and the United States are at loggerheads over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, and the two countries are on opposing sides in Syria’s civil war. Iran is the most important regional ally of President Bashar al-Assad, while the United States supports the rebels seeking his ouster. Iran and the United States are at loggerheads over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, and they are on opposing sides in Syria’s civil war. Iran is the most important regional ally of President Bashar al-Assad, while the United States supports the rebels seeking his ouster.
Ms. Afkham said the letters were sent through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which has a section looking after American interests. In a television interview on Sunday, President Obama also confirmed that both men were exchanging letters. Ms. Afkham said the letters were sent through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which has a section looking after American interests. In a television interview on Sunday, Mr. Obama also confirmed the exchange of letters.
Word of the exchange emerged as both leaders prepared to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week. Ms. Afkham said no meetings were scheduled between Iranian and United States officials. Mr. Rouhani will also not meet with the British foreign secretary, William Hague, she said, dismissing a message on a Twitter account affiliated with Mr. Rouhani asking for such a meeting. Word of the correspondence emerged as both leaders prepared to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week. Ms. Afkham said no meetings were scheduled between Iranian and United States officials. Mr. Rouhani will also not meet with the British foreign secretary, William Hague, she said, dismissing a message on a Twitter account affiliated with Mr. Rouhani asking for such a meeting.
The exchange of letters also coincided with a decision by the Obama administration last week to ease longstanding restraints on humanitarian and good-will activities between Iran and the United States, including athletic exchanges. It was at least the second American government relaxation of Iranian sanctions this year. The exchange of letters also coincided with a decision by the Obama administration last week to ease longstanding restraints on humanitarian and good-will activities between Iran and the United States, including athletic exchanges. It was at least the second relaxation of Iranian sanctions this year by the American government.
On other diplomatic fronts, negotiations aimed at resolving the nuclear dispute have been deadlocked since before Mr. Rouhani’s election victory, which has been depicted as a potential opportunity to break the stalemate. On other diplomatic fronts, negotiations intended to resolve the nuclear dispute have been deadlocked since before Mr. Rouhani’s election victory, which has been depicted as a potential opportunity to break the stalemate.
Iran, arguing that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, insists on its right to enrich uranium, but Western powers fear that Tehran’s scientists are seeking the capability to build nuclear weapons — a prospect that alarms both the United States and Israel. Iran, arguing that its program is for peaceful purposes, insists on its right to enrich uranium. But Western powers fear that Tehran’s scientists are seeking the capability to build nuclear weapons, a prospect that alarms both the United States and Israel.
Mr. Rouhani has not indicated whether Iran will shift ground, but he has replaced the most senior officials in Iran’s nuclear program. Last month, in their first report since Mr. Rouhani took office, nuclear inspectors from the United Nations said Iran had slowed its accumulation of uranium that could be quickly converted to bomb fuel. Mr. Rouhani has not indicated whether Iran will shift positions, but he has replaced the most senior officials in the program. Last month, in their first report since Mr. Rouhani took office, nuclear inspectors from the United Nations said Iran had slowed its accumulation of uranium that could be quickly converted to bomb fuel.

Thomas Erdbrink reported from Tehran, and Alan Cowell from London.

Thomas Erdbrink reported from Tehran, and Alan Cowell from London.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Correction: September 17, 2013Correction: September 17, 2013

An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of a report on Iran’s nuclear program by United Nations inspectors. It was released last month, not last week.

An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of a report on Iran’s nuclear program by United Nations inspectors. It was released last month, not last week.