Iran Won't Allow John Kerry to Visit
The semi-official Fars News Agency reports that Iranian legislators on Sunday rejected Kerry's request to visit the country. Hassan Ebrahimi, the head of the Iranian parliament's Foreign Relations Committee, reportedly said members of that committee voiced opposition to Kerry's visit "after studying the issue."
Contacted by the Hill to confirm the story, Kerry's office was vague. Spokesman Frederick Jones would apparently say only that "John Kerry has no plans to travel to Iran."
A Voice of America report last week noted that Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani ridiculed Kerry's possible plan to visit Iran, "calling U.S. policy towards Iran duplicitous and deceitful." He called for the U.S. to change many of its policies toward Iran instead of sending a lawmaker to visit the country.
That position was echoed by other members of the Iranian parliament.
The Obama administration has pursued better relations with Iran, an effort that has been complicated by unrest among Iranians in the wake of a disputed presidential election. The administration, which wanted diplomatic progress with Iran within its first year, is now strongly considering pushing for greater global sanctions against the country over its nuclear program.
Meanwhile, Kerry is having hip replacement surgery today.