On September 28, President Obama picked up the phone and called Iranian President Rouhani who was traveling back to JFK airport after speaking at the United Nations in New York. In addition to discussing Iran’s nuclear-enrichment program, the presidents spoke about Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen, who was arrested because of his faith while visiting Iran over a year ago. This was the first time since the Islamic revolution of 1979 that a U.S. President has spoken with an Iranian president. Secretary of State John Kerry and the U.S. Congress have also been calling for Pastor Saeed’s release.
It may just be a phone call, but it’s a start.
To learn more about Pastor Saeed’s story, see the New York Daily News story “After one year in Iranian jail, Christian pastor Saeed Abedini pens heartfelt letter to daughter” (09/26/2013)
