Report: Obama Wrote Secret Letter To Iran On Islamic State

[Purveyor]

Source: USA TODAY

Oren Dorell and David Jackson, USA TODAY 3:32 p.m. EST November 6, 2014

President Obama secretly wrote a letter last month to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei that sought to link cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to a nuclear deal, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

"Mr. Obama stressed to Mr. Khamenei that any cooperation on Islamic State was largely contingent on Iran reaching a comprehensive agreement with global powers on the future of Tehran's nuclear program by a Nov. 24 diplomatic deadline," the Journal reported, citing anonymous U.S. officials briefed on the letter.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest declined to comment on the report Thursday, saying he wasn't in a position to discuss "private correspondence" between the president and other world leaders.

Discussions about the campaign against the Islamic State have taken place "on the sidelines" of the Iran nuclear talks, Earnest said without being more specific.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/11/06/obama-secret-letter-iran/18597317/

[Old Nick]

1. Why the hell not?

The Iranians are more likely to cooperate than the GOP, after all.

[Duval]

3. LOL I think

I like you, Old Nick!

[Lochloosa]

5. Funny. Welcome to DU Old Nick.

[Old Nick]

17. Thank you

[christx30]

6. It would be funny if it wasn't so true.

I don't recall Iran saying that they hope Mr. Obama fails.

[flamingdem]

9. Brilliant

You are SO right!

[alfredo]

13. Duzy!

[femmocrat]

2. Secret?

"anonymous U.S. officials briefed on the letter" --- Obviously, some people cannot keep a secret!

[Blue_Tires]

8. +1

Way too many loose lips in State...

[Odin2005]

12. Probably a butt-hurt Islamophobic Republican in the State Dept.

[CJCRANE]

4. The Iranians think

the West and their allies created ISIS, so they're somewhat wary of getting involved in the coalition.

Also, if they look at what happened to Saddam, Gadaffi and Assad after they were wined and dined by the West they might think they would get a metaphorical poisoned chalice too.

And now the Repubs are in control of Congress, they may not like what they see there either.

[Purveyor]

10. What is certain to me is that after these elections results, Iran is going "full ahead, three bells"

on its nuclear weapon program and unfortunately, I can't blame them.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. So, what's gonna keep the Republicans from declaring war on Iran or something?

Would Obama veto it? Are we sure?

[KinMd]

15. President Obama is still Commander in Chief..that didn't change on Tuesday

he would have to ok any attack on Iran, as much as that will frustrate McCain and Graham

[Odin2005]

11. Cue the right-wing hysteria.

Fox "News": Obama in secrete communication with Iranian Islamofascists!!!

[Todays_Illusion]

14. I think this is unverified speculation orig source given as WSJ

[KinMd]

16. My GOD you know what this could lead to...

..a nuclear deal with Iran AND boots on the ground to fight ISIS that weren't ours....the horrors!

[Amonester]

18. The boots on the ground to fight ISIS are already there according to a report

posted here earlier ( can't find it right now as I'm out to ).