Obama left off invite list for Iranian presidential inauguration

{mosads}The Obama administration has indicated that it hopes to be able to restart negotiations on Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program after the inauguration of Rouhani, who is considered more centrist than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. 

Some outside observers have suggested than Iran’s decision to open up its inauguration could signal a willingness to open up to the outside world and could bode well for the resumption of negotiations.

Already, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman, Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon have announced their intention to travel to Iran to participate in the ceremony, according to Iran’s Press TV. Iraq is expected to be represented by Vice President Khazir al-Khazai and Turkey by Minister of Development Cevdet Yilmaz.

Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Azerbaijan and several Latin American countries will also dispatch high-level delegations to the event, according to Press TV. Rouhani won’t draw a full crowd, however: The European Union has agreed to only send Tehran-based diplomats.

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