The Heat discusses possibility of renewed US-Iran ties with John Limbert

The Heat

The United States and Iran have had no formal relations since Iranian students held 52 Americans hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran for 444 days starting on Nov. 4, 1979.

Today, the Iran hostage crisis still defines the strained relationship between Washington and Tehran, however talks to reach a comprehensive nuclear deal on Iran’s nuclear program may offer a diplomatic opening to rapprochement.

Delegates from the United States, China, Britain, France, Germany, and Russia are scheduled to meet in Geneva next week to continue tough talks on Iran’s nuclear program. They need to reach a final deal by June.

Obstacles remain over Iran’s long term capacity to enrich uranium and the long-standing sanctions imposed by the West.

During a recent interview with the U.S. radio network National Public Radio, U.S. President Obama was conciliatory in his remarks about the Islamic republic and said he was open to the possibility of reopening the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

The Heat’s Anand Naidoo interviewed former former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran John Limbert, who was among the 52 Americans held hostage in Tehran 36 years ago.

Some experts said that following normalized relations with Cuba last month, Iran could be next. Anand Naidoo also interviewed a panel of experts including:

  • Seyed Mohammad Marandi, Head of the North American Studies Department at the University of Tehran.
  • Kenneth Katzman, a specialist on Middle Eastern affairs at the Congressional Research Service.