first time since '79

Obama, Rouhani Speak on Phone

President Obama chides GOP on possible shutdown.

For the first time since 1979, the presidents of America and Iran have been in direct contact. At a press conference Friday, President Obama revealed that he had spoken on the phone with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani about shutting down Iran's nuclear program. "Success is not guaranteed," Obama stressed, saying Rouhani indicated Iran will never develop nuclear weapons and the two will continue discussions. On the domestic side of things, Obama also spoke about the impending government shutdown, saying Republicans are engaging in "political grandstanding," and the GOP efforts have been an attempt to exact revenge against Obama's Affordable Care Act, which goes into effect on Tuesday. "Any Republican congressmen watching right now, I'd encourage you to think about who you're hurting," he said, listing the social and economic effects of a total shutdown.