Iran: In letter to Obama, Rouhani offers his views

AP: Iran’s foreign ministry says the letter exchange between Washington and Tehran included White House’s congratulations on the election of Iran’s new moderate-leaning president.
The Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s foreign ministry says the letter exchange between Washington and Tehran included White House’s congratulations on the election of Iran’s new moderate-leaning president.

Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham also told reporters in Tehran on Tuesday that Iranian President Hasan Rouhani expressed his views on “various subjects” in response to President Barrack Obama’s letter.

She gave no further details.

Iran first announced the exchange last week. It was confirmed by Obama in a U.S. interview broadcast Sunday.

The letters are viewed as possible overtures at greater contacts between to two foes or even initial moves toward direct talks in the future.

Rouhani plans to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York later this month, raising speculation about possible contacts with U.S. officials.

However, Afkham said no meetings are on the agenda.