President Barack Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly today and, as expected, touched on U.S. relations with Iran and actions to be taken in Syria if it fails to surrender its chemical weapons.
President Obama stressed the UN must enforce the ban on chemical weapons in that country.
“Let us remember that this is not a zero-sum endeavor. We’re no longer in a cold war, there’s no great game to be won, nor does America have any interest in Syria beyond the well-being of its people, the stability of its neighbors, the elimination of chemical weapons, and ensuring that it does not become a safe haven for terrorists. I welcome the influence of all nations that can help bring about a peaceful resolution to Syria’s civil war,” Obama said.
The president later stated in no uncertain terms what America’s stance on Iranian nuclear policy is.
“Since I’ve took office I’ve made it clear in letters to the supreme leader in Iran and more recently to President Rouhani that America prefers to resolve our concerns over Iran’s nuclear program peacefully, although we are determined to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. We are not seeking regime change and we respect the right of Iranian people to access peaceful nuclear energy,” Obama added.
On Iran, President Obama directed Secretary of State John Kerry to pursue nuclear weapons deal with Iran, adding that a diplomatic path must be tested.
Although there is no scheduled meeting between the president and Iranian president Hasan Rouhani, White House aides have not ruled out one being added to his itinerary today, which includes meetings with the presidents of Lebanon and Palestine and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
It would be the first face-to-face meeting between U.S. and Iranian leaders in more than 30 years.
Rouhani does have a meeting scheduled with Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday.
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