President Obama exchanged a handshake with Iran's top diplomat at the United Nations, a U.S. official said Tuesday, in a small but closely watched gesture as the two countries move ahead with a nuclear accord.
Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, is well known to Secretary of State John Kerry and other U.S. envoys following the long negotiations over the accord that limits Iran's nuclear program in exchange for easing of international sanctions.
But the handshake broke new ground: It was the first between a U.S. president and Iran's foreign minister since the 1979 Islamic revolution and the hostage-taking at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran that followed.
A senior Obama administration official said the president and Zarif shook hands during a brief exchange at a lunch.
Washington Post
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From World
World
Mexican journalist is slain south of Mexico City, spurring outrage among colleagues
Mexican journalists held a vigil and protest Saturday a day after one of their colleagues was slain in the southern state of Morelos.
World
Two Russian journalists jailed on 'extremism' charges for alleged work for Navalny group
Two Russian journalists were arrested by their government on "extremism'' charges and ordered by courts there on Saturday to remain in custody pending investigation and trial on accusations of working for a group founded by the late Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
World
Assailants ambush and kill 3 police officers in southern Chile, shaking the country
Armed assailants ambushed and killed three law enforcement officers in southern Chile on Saturday before setting their car on fire, authorities said, the latest attack on police to revive security concerns in the South American country.
World
A tornado in southern China kills 5 people and damages factories in the metropolis of Guangzhou
A tornado struck the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Saturday, killing five people and damaging more than 140 factory buildings, state media said.
World
Yemen's Houthi rebels claim downing US Reaper drone, release footage showing wreckage of aircraft
Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saturday claimed shooting down another of the U.S. military's MQ-9 Reaper drones, airing footage of parts that corresponded to known pieces of the unmanned aircraft.