Historical phone-call between Obama and Rouhani

Washington, DC - The President of the National Iranian American Council Dr. Trita Parsi released on behalf of the organization the following statement in regards to the historic telephone conversation between President Barack Obama and President Hassan Rouhani:

"We applaud the Presidents of the United States and Iran for the historic phone conversation, which reflects the strong mutual investment they are making into the diplomatic process. It is precisely this commitment to diplomacy that is needed to resolve the nuclear stand-off and open up the opportunity for greater reconciliation between the two countries."

"The institutionalized enmity that has estranged the two governments - but never the two peoples - for more than 34 years will not be undone overnight. But there is only one path towards reconciliation and that is through patient, persistent and determined diplomacy."

"Through the phone call, both leaders have shred the taboo of contact that protected this enmity and have unleashed forces of peace and moderation. While the final outcome of this courageous journey remains unknown, both sides have shown the courage and will to travel the diplomatic path towards its final destination."

"The two sides should at the earliest possible point broaden the agenda beyond the nuclear issue to address other outstanding issues, including the human rights situation in Iran.The Iranian-American community looks forward to this as the beginning of a brighter future that can be shared by both the American and the Iranian people."