Veteran US diplomat John Limbert said on Saturday Iran and the United States share mutual interests in the region and the whole world.
Limbert, former deputy assistant secretary of state for Iran in the US State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, made the remarks in an interview with IRNA.
He said the talks between Iran and the major powers on the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program have “opened a new door” for further dialogue and settlement of historical problems between Iran and the US.
On US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham’s remarks in a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the imposition of new sanctions on Iran, Limbert said such remarks by Graham are not very “astonishing” as he has uttered such words in the past.
“This is illogical of a US congressman to say openly that the US Congress follows the Israeli lead.”
He said such remarks even enrage many US lawmakers.
Limbert went on to say that such conflicts between the US administration and Congress are natural, but ultimately it is the US president that determines foreign policy.
Citing the recent rapprochement between the US and Cuba after more than 50 years of frosty relations, Limbert said despite opposing views in Congress, President Barack Obama enforced his decision.
On Iran’s nuclear issue and the obstacles created by the Israeli prime minister to scuttle diplomacy, the veteran diplomat said there is hostility between Netanyahu and Obama, adding that Netanyahu is trying to make use of Iran’s nuclear issue to undermine the US president.
Even if Iran’s nuclear talks do not bear fruit in short time, there is no way for their failure and they will continue, he commented. In addition, Limbert said mutual concerns, such as fear of the re-emergence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the dominance of the Islamic State terrorist group in the region, tie the interests of Iran and the US.
