In an interview with the London daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Jeffery Feltman said that the U.S. thought that there was still time to establish diplomatic contacts with Iran, but that a more aggressive approach might be necessary.
He added that his country and Syria had common interests such as the security situation in Iraq, but that Syria still supported terror organizations like Hizbullah and that therefore U.S. sanctions against it should be renewed.
The paper also reported, citing French sources, that despite the Obama administration's criticism of it, and despite the fact that it is keeping it on the list of countries supporting terrorism, Syria is pleased at successfully "breaking the ice" in its relations with the U.S., and with President Obama's lack of pro-Israel bias.
Source: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, July 16, 2009
