President Barack Obama suggested in an NPR interview published on Monday that, if Iran resolves its nuclear program issues with world powers, it's conceivable that the U.S. could reopen an embassy there.
Considering Obama's recent move to restore diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, which will likely see an American embassy reopen there, NPR's Steven Inskeep asked the president if there was any scenario in which he could envision, in his final two years, reopening a U.S. embassy in Iran's capital city of Tehran.
"I never say never," Obama replied. "But I think these things have to go in steps," and Iran is different from Cuba, Obama said.
Cuba is a relatively tiny country that doesn't pose much of a threat to the U.S. or its allies, Obama said, while Iran is a large, "sophisticated country that has a track record of state-sponsored terrorism, that we know was attempting to develop a nuclear weapon - or at least the component parts that would be required to develop a nuclear weapon - that has engaged in disruptions to our allies, whose rhetoric is not only explicitly anti-American but also has been incendiary when it comes to its attitude towards the state of Israel."
Nuclear talks between Iran and world powers were extended for a second time without an agreement last month, and are set to resume in July 2015.
Both Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry insisted that talks will eventually succeed and an agreement will be reached, reported Al Jazeera.
Obama continued, "If Iran recognizes that it is in its own interests, having already said that they're actually not interested in developing a nuclear weapon, to go ahead and prove that to the world, so that over time as it's verified, sanctions are removed, their economy begins to grow, they're reintegrated 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."
The president referenced his 2007 presidential race, when he said he believes in diplomacy, dialogue and engagement, and would meet with rogue regimes like Iran as long as it "advances American interests."
"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 went on to say he feels he has been fair with the Iranians, telling them that "we are willing to recognize your ability to develop a modest nuclear power program for your energy needs," but there is a specific way to do that to assure the world that you won't be able to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran should seize the opportunity to break through their isolation, Obama said, because if they do, "there's incredible talent and resources and sophistication inside of Iran, and it would be a very successful regional power that was also abiding by international norms and international rules, and that would be good for everybody."
