OBAMA AND IRANIAN PRESIDENT SPEAKS BY PHONE, THE FIRST FOR AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT IN OVER 30 YEARS!

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President Obama spoke Friday afternoon by phone with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, another step in a warming relationship both leaders have said they hope brings about a diplomatic resolution to Iran’s controversial nuclear program.

The two men nearly met informally at the United Nations earlier this week.

But the encounter never came about, discouraging hopes that the newly elected Iranian president and Obama would soonbegin building a personal relationship after decades of confrontation between the nations.

No U.S. leader has spoken with an Iranian president since the Islamic revolution ousted the U.S.-backed shah in 1979.

At an afternoon news briefing at the White House, Obama told reporters Friday the two spoke by phone to direct their negotiating teams to seek an agreement over Iran’s uranium enrichment program, which the United States, Israel, and other nations believe is cover to develop nuclear weapons. Iranian officials have denied that intent.

According to Washington post, President Obama said Friday there were signs to be optimistic that a resolution could be reached, including a religious order issued by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei against the development of nuclear weapons.

Rouhani was elected earlier this year on a pledge to improve Iran’s relationship with the West, and end sanctions imposed to pressure the government to open up its enrichment program.

“The test will be meaningful, transparent and verifiable actions,” Obama said. “We've got a responsibility to pursue diplomacy.”

Obama said the leaders agreed the negotiations would continue with the five United Nations powers and Germany, the international group that has been managing talks in recent years.

On Monday, Obama hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has cautioned the United States to view Rouhani’s overtures with skepticism, at the White House
.