Kerry Meets Iranian Compliance Complaints with Consideration of Good Will Gestures

United States Secretary of State John Kerry met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Olso on Wednesday to hear Iran’s complaints about the implementation of the controversial nuclear agreement between Tehran and the Western powers. Specifically, the Iranians feel that the US and its negotiating partners are not giving the Iranians all they deserve under the pact, especially green lights to potential trading partners and financial institutions. While many urged the SecState to play hardball, citing Iran’s missile testing and other activities arguably in violation of the pact, Kerry instead promised to look into the complaints with an eye toward creating a package of goodwill gestures for the Iranians. Kerry said, “I think there are places where the United States could give confidence where there is doubt, and I feel that it is important for us if we’re going to have future dealings or we want to have a reputation for good faith in negotiations we conduct anywhere. It’s important for us to show good faith in executing this agreement and I intend to see to it that we do that.”