By Donald H. Harrison
The death of the mother of Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, the onset of the Iranian New Year, and the approaching deadline for the conclusion of the P5+1 negotiations over Iran’s nucelar aspirations, have prompted President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and the State Department to issue several expressions of goodwill toward that country.
The cordial comments contrasted with remarks made recently about Israel by spokespersons for the Obama administration.
In Lausanne, Switzerland, where Kerry’s talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif were taking place, the two principals jointly met reporters.
Said Kerry: “I just wanted to say on behalf of all of the American delegation, we learned this morning of the passing of President Rouhani’s mother. And Hossein Fereydoun, who is a member – a very important member of the delegation, and he is the president’s brother – he is returning to Iran immediately. And we want to express our deepest condolences. We also, in the midst of this sad news, know that this is Nowruz, New Year in Iran. So we want to wish the people of Iran, even as they hear the sad news of the president’s mother, a Nowruz Mobarak. And we hope that this is a year that can bring us progress and peace.”
Zarif replied: “Thank you, I appreciate that. In fact, Nowruz is the beginning of Spring, and in Farsi, it means ‘new day.’ I hope this new day will be a new day for the entire world – a new era of greater understanding and peace.”
Through his office in Washington, Kerry elaborated on his condolences, issuing this statement: “We extend our deepest condolences to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Hassan Rouhani and his family on the passing of his mother, Mrs. Sakineh Peivandi. Such a loss is especially hard coming on the eve of Nowruz, traditionally a time when families gather together in joy and hope. We share in his grief and that of his brother, Presidential Special Advisor Hossein Fereydoun, who has been participating in the talks in Lausanne, and we keep their family in our thoughts.”
Addressing the Iranian people, President Obama issued this New Year’s greeting:
“Hello! To everyone celebrating Nowruz—across the United States and in countries around the world—Nowruz Mubarak.
For thousands of years, this has been a time to gather with family and friends and welcome a new spring and a new year. Last week, my wife Michelle helped mark Nowruz here at the White House. It was a celebration of the vibrant cultures, food, music and friendship of our many diaspora communities who make extraordinary contributions every day here in the United States. We even created our own Haft Seen, representing our hopes for the new year.
This year, that includes our hopes for progress between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the international community, including the United States. So I want to take this opportunity once again to speak directly to the people and leaders of Iran. As you gather around the Nowruz table—from Tehran to Shiraz to Tabriz, from the coasts of the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf—you’re giving thanks for your blessings and looking ahead to the future.
This year, we have the best opportunity in decades to pursue a different future between our countries. Just over a year ago, we reached an initial understanding regarding Iran’s nuclear program. And both sides have kept our commitments. Iran has halted progress on its nuclear program and even rolled it back in some areas. The international community, including the United States, has provided Iran with some relief from sanctions. Now, our diplomats—and our scientists—are engaged in negotiations in the hopes of finding a comprehensive solution that resolves the world’s concerns with Iran’s nuclear program.
The days and weeks ahead will be critical. Our negotiations have made progress, but gaps remain. And there are people, in both our countries and beyond, who oppose a diplomatic resolution. My message to you—the people of Iran—is that, together, we have to speak up for the future we seek.
As I have said many times before, I believe that our countries should be able to resolve this issue peacefully, with diplomacy. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has issued a fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons, and President Rouhani has said that Iran would never develop a nuclear weapon. Together with the international community, the United States has said that Iran should have access to peaceful nuclear energy, consistent with Iran’s international obligations. So there is a way for Iran—if it is willing to take meaningful, verifiable steps—to assure the world that its nuclear program is, in fact, for peaceful purposes only.
In this sense, Iran’s leaders have a choice between two paths. If they cannot agree to a reasonable deal, they will keep Iran on the path it’s on today—a path that has isolated Iran, and the Iranian people, from so much of the world, caused so much hardship for Iranian families, and deprived so many young Iranians of the jobs and opportunities they deserve.
On the other hand, if Iran’s leaders can agree to a reasonable deal, it can lead to a better path—the path of greater opportunities for the Iranian people. More trade and ties with the world. More foreign investment and jobs, including for young Iranians. More cultural exchanges and chances for Iranian students to travel abroad. More partnerships in areas like science and technology and innovation. In other words, a nuclear deal now can help open the door to a brighter future for you—the Iranian people, who, as heirs to a great civilization, have so much to give to the world.
This is what’s at stake today. And this moment may not come again soon. I believe that our nations have an historic opportunity to resolve this issue peacefully—an opportunity we should not miss. As the poet Hafez wrote, “It is early spring. Try to be joyful in your heart. For many a flower will bloom while you will be in clay.”
For decades, our nations have been separated by mistrust and fear. Now it is early spring. We have a chance—a chance—to make progress that will benefit our countries, and the world, for many years to come. Now it is up to all of us, Iranians and Americans, to seize this moment and the possibilities that can bloom in this new season.
Thank you, and Nowruzetan Pirooz.
Kerry added these comments:
It is my distinct pleasure to join President Obama in wishing a joyous and healthy Nowruz to all who celebrate around the world, throughout Asia and the Caucasus, to the Persian Gulf region, and to everyone celebrating here in the United States. For centuries millions of people have gathered each year to rejoice in the arrival of Spring and partake in traditions that mark the vernal equinox as the beginning of a new year. As I noted in my Nowruz greeting last year, the United States and Iran have endured many harsh winters. But now, with the coming of Spring, we can all embrace this opportunity to move toward a better future. It is my sincere hope that if Iran’s leaders make the right choices – the necessary choices – in the ongoing nuclear talks, that this new year and this new Spring will mark a better future both for the Iranian people and for the world. This Nowruz, as you reflect on the preceding year and look forward to a new one, may the spirit of reconciliation mend past differences and the spirit of hope lead the way towards new growth and opportunity. Nowruz Mobarak!
The Obama administration’s charm offensive toward Iran contrasted with the tone of comments by State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Thursday, March 19, concerning Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She was asked about an interview by ABC-TV’s Andrea Mitchell, in which Netanyahu said notwithstanding his pre-election comments that there would be no two state solution during his tenure, he still believes a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians is the best outcome.
“Our preference is certainly, and it has been – it is today, it was yesterday, it was three days ago – for a two-state solution negotiated between the parties,” Psaki commented. “Certainly, the prime minister’s comments from a few days ago brought into question whether he was – remained committed to that.”
Furthermore, she said, “I think there’ll be many more discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu both publicly and certainly internally throughout the coming weeks, but beyond that we certainly look to what he has said, and obviously what he said a few days ago is not consistent with what his stated position had been prior to that.”
The day before, on Wednesday, March 18, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, said the United States continues to favor a two-state solution, and “based on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments, the United States will reevaluate our position and the path forward in the situation.”
A March 19 statement from the White House summarizing President Obama’s telephone call to Prime Minister Netanyahu to congratulate him on his election victory, read as follows:
President Obama spoke today by telephone with Prime Minister Netanyahu to congratulate the Prime Minister on his party’s success in winning a plurality of Knesset seats. The President emphasized the importance the United States places on our close military, intelligence, and security cooperation with Israel, which reflects the deep and abiding partnership between both countries. The President and the Prime Minister agreed to continue consultations on a range of regional issues, including the difficult path forward to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The President reaffirmed the United States’ long-standing commitment to a two-state solution that results in a secure Israel alongside a sovereign and viable Palestine. On Iran, the President reiterated that the United States is focused on reaching a comprehensive deal with Iran that prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and verifiably assures the international community of the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. Your comments may be sent to him at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com, or posted on this website, per the instructions below.
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