Able Quote by Stephen Kinzer

For decades, our differences with Iran meant that our governments almost never spoke to each other. Ultimately, that did not advance America's interests.

— Barack Obama

The U.S. has always sought to sow intrigue against Iran but has never succeeded in the face of Iran's greatness.

— Hassan Rouhani

We want to see the Iranians engage, and as you know, we have attempted to bring about that engagement over the course of the…

— Barack Obama

The reason the United States is not so likely to invade Iran is precisely because of the lessons learned from Iraq. And conversely, the…

— Steven Pinker

The Americans invaded a country without understanding what eight years of a war with Iran had meant, how that traumatized Iraq. They didn't appreciate…

— Anthony Shadid

Americans have eliminated Iran's worst enemies, the Taliban in Afghanistan and Saddam [Hussein]. I occasionally threatened my Iranian counterpart in Kabul that one day…

— Zalmay Khalilzad

In short, the time has come for us as American and Iranian citizens to apply our mutual energy, intellect, and goodwill toward strengthening relations…

— Cyrus Vance

Engaging Iran won't guarantee improved U.S.-Iranian relations or a more stable Gulf region. But not engaging means more of the same.

— Samantha Power

It is clear that there are reasons for discontent in Iran - economic and political reasons. We have told the Iranian leadership repeatedly that…

— Sigmar Gabriel

There's an abiding interest by the United States, by the American people, and by anybody with his eyes set in his head, to prevent…

— Benjamin Netanyahu

We've said to the Iranians all along . . . we still remain open to diplomacy. But it's been very clear that the Iranians…

— Barack Obama

In Arab capitals, the failure of the United States to stop Iran's nuclear program is understood as American weakness in the struggle for dominance…

— Elliott Abrams