Rafsanjani urges US policy change

The head of Iran’s Expediency Council says a positive impact can be seen in Tehran-Washington ties should US president fulfill his motto of ‘change’.

In a meeting with Swiss ambassador to Tehran, Livia Leu Agosti, Head of Iran’s Expediency Council Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani said US President Barack Obama was elected for his promise of ‘change’.

Many countries hoped he could revolutionize the US policy; however, he fell short of meeting his promise, Ayatollah Rafsanjani said.

He thanked Switzerland, which also represents the US interests section in Iran, for hosting the talks between Iran and the five permanent Security Council members — Britain, China, France, Russia, the US — plus Germany on October 1.

“Iran expects the P5+1 takes a positive approach in future talks,” Rafsanjani added.

On her turn, Agosti expressed hope that future talks between Iran and the P5+1 would lead to positive cooperation, pointing to Bern’s potential to promote trust between Tehran and Washington.