WASHINGTON, Sept 28 (agencies): US President Barack Obama and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani by telephone said Friday in a historic and first direct contact between leaders of the estranged Nations since the Islamic revolution of 1979.
The stunning 15-minute conversation, from 14:30 (GMT 1830), the fruit has been constructed by Rouhanis elections in June on a mandate for the confrontation with the West to facilitate a diplomatic opening, and lift nuclear sanctions that have pulverized the Iranian economy.
'Right now, I spoke on the phone with Rouhani President of Islamic Republic Iran' Obama said in a televised statement, revealing the most fascinating turn in the relations between the Islamic Republic and a superpower they branded "The great Satan".
"The two of us discussed our ongoing efforts to reach an agreement over Iran's nuclear program."
The impetus for the call came from Iranian officials, hours said the US officials previously in New York said the Rouhani with Obama before leaving wanted to speak of the United Nations General Assembly.
The White House had Tehran informed earlier this week that it was open to an informal meeting between the leaders at the United Nations.
But the Iranians at that time said that such a meeting was too complicated, raises questions whether Rouhani was careful but angered hard-liners in Iran clerical hierarchy.
Leaders which significant discussion took place, Rouhani said Iran page was on his way to the airport in his official limousine.
Obama spoke in English and Farsi, said Rouhani as she talked through interpreters, is, according to US officials.
But before hanging up, on an Exchange, which would have thought impossible only weeks ago Obama Rouhani was called "Khodahafez"-Farsi for "Goodbye."
Rouhani "have a good day, Mr. President" in English, so tweets from Iranian leader Office and a US official replied.
The two countries cut diplomatic relations in 1980, a year after the Islamic revolution in the Iran the United States supported Shah overthrown.
Also a stalemate sparked the aftermath of revolution 444-day at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, in which a total 52 American hostages by militant students held, until January 1981.
Obama said that he was mindful of the obstacles ahead despite the unprecedented nature of the call with Rouhani and hope for a permanent diplomatic breakthrough.
"The fact that this was the first communication between an American and Iranian President since 1979 underscores the deep mistrust between our countries, but it shows beyond the prospect of difficult history."
Obama said that he said Rouhani, giving it that a "solution" of the dispute over Iran's uranium-enrichment program, could the West believed covert effort remains free to produce nuclear weapons-a, which Tehran denies.
Obama pointed out that Rouhani had said that Iran would never develop nuclear weapons and that Washington respected the access right of Iranians on peaceful nuclear energy.
"So the test meaningful, are transparent and verifiable actions, which can also liberation from the comprehensive international sanctions, which bring in place at present," the US President added.
Washington and Israel have warned both possible military action if diplomacy fails to assuage their concerns about the nuclear program.
The Iranian Presidency confirmed the telephone conversation between Obama and Rouhani.
"The two political calls for quick solution to the nuclear issue and paved the ground for the solution of other problems and cooperation in regional issues" it said on its website.
Run a Twitter account by Rouhanis Office gave information about the call.
In the meantime: Iranian newspaper celebrated Saturday, the first contact between President Hasan Rouhani and Barack Obama but warned that opponents as arch enemy would find Israel to torpedo the historical opening to Washington.
"It's the end of the 35-year taboo," vocal reformist daily Arman, referring to the rupture of diplomatic relations after the hostage-taking at the US Embassy during the 1979 Islamic revolution.
"The world by surprise", it crowed.
"International media in shock about the telephone conversation" it said, referring to the time of the call as Rouhani drove to the airport after a visit to the United Nations, where the media focus on the lack of a historic meeting had been.
The Etemad newspaper carried a photo montage Rouhani and Obama side by side. "Historical contact on the way home," read a headline, the recording of the entire front page.
But in an opinion piece international relations Professor Mohammad Ali Bassiri warned that great resistance from Israel as well as from domestic opponents would be suspended rapprochement between Tehran and Washington.
Supporters of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hold posters and banners, while leaving his motorcade Tehran Mehrabad airport after his arrival from New York. -AFP
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