Sen. Barack Obama says he would “engage in aggressive personal diplomacy” with Iran if he is elected president. He also would offer economic inducements and a possible promise not to seek “regime change” if Iran stopped meddling in Iraq and cooperated on terrorism and nuclear issues.
In an hourlong interview with The New York Times, Obama said: “We are willing to talk about certain assurances in the context of them showing some good faith. I think it is important for us to send a signal that we are not hellbent on regime change, just for the sake of regime change, but expect changes in behavior. And there are both carrots and there are sticks available to them for those changes in behavior."
He did not say if he would attack Iran if it didn't abandon its suspected nuclear weapons program.
“My decision making, with respect to military options versus diplomatic options, a containment strategy versus a strike strategy, is going to be informed by how is that going to impact not just Iran, but how is that going to impact the stability of the region and how’s that going to impact our long-term security interests.”
He also said:
Iran had been “acting irresponsibly” by supporting Shiite militant groups in Iraq. Iran’s support for “terrorist activities” are serious concerns. “Changes in behavior” by Iran could possibly be rewarded with membership in the World Trade Organization.
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