Kerry admires Iranian culture and son-in-law (picture)
Persian News Search Engine, Kodoom.com: It is perhaps the first time ever that a US Secretary of State has talked so positively about Iranian culture and traditions. John Kerry not only attended the traditional "haft Seen" table for Iranian new year - First day of spring, March 20, or Norooz (pictured below - taken from US State Department's Farsi Page on facebook), but also discussed his admiration of Iranian culture and his Iranian son-in-law, Dr. WalaNahad (Vanessa Kerry's husband) in an exclusive interview with Voice of America's Persian Service.
Kerry called Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif a "candid and straightforward" man who eloquently and unabashedly explains his government's positions. Kerry called the Nuclear Agreement logical and fair but also warned against approaching the deadline which is only 3.5 months away while many difficult issues remain. Kerry indicated "It should not be that difficult for Iran to prove the peacefulness of their programs, but hidden underground bunkers like Fordo's complex do not make sense."
Kerry also shares his fondness of his son-in-law, Dr. Brian Vala Nahed, who is of Iranian ancestry, but says this is not to be mixed with politics. Kerry says he was already exposed to Iranian culture through his sister who, before the 1979 Iranian revolution, used to work in an International School in Tehran and had learned Farsi (Persian) and made many Iranian friends. Kerry calls Iranians a capable and proud nation with a rich history and civilization. But he also points out to difficulties in normalizing relationships with Iran: "President Obama's priority remains to be diplomacy so it is up to the Iranian government to be responsive to the international concerns about their intentions."
Kerry has been insulted and mocked on several occasions by right wing politicians and officials in Israel for what they perceive as Kerry's peace loving and moderate stance on Middle Eastern issues.
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