Al-Monitor reports that in an interview aired by NPR last Monday, President Obama said a nuclear deal with Iran is possible and could be the prelude to the gradual easing of hostilities between the two nations. “If we can get a deal on making sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon– and that deal is possible … If we can take that big first step, then my hope would be that that would serve as the basis for us trying to improve relations over time,” Obama said in an interview with National Public Radio’s Steve Inskeep, taped last week.

“But in order for us to … open that aperture with respect to Iran, we have to get this nuclear issue resolved–and there’s a chance to do it,” Obama said. “The question’s going to be whether or not Iran is willing to seize it. …I think there are elements inside of Iran that recognize the opportunity and want to take it,” Obama said. “I think there’s some hard-liners inside of Iran that are threatened by a resolution of this because they are so invested politically and emotionally in being anti-American or anti-Western that it’s frightening for them to open themselves up to the world in this way.”