next up treat up our sea of the co-founder of the national iranian american council tiles are too wide president obama's approach towards the islamic republic has changed from once offering peaceful dialogue to the confrontation we're seeing today. r.t. is sitting down with trita parsi president of the national iranian american council and author of a new book a single roll of the dice obama's diplomacy with iran mr parsley thank you very much for joining our team today thank you for having me mr percy when u.s. president barack obama stepped into the white house in early two thousand and nine he was offering a new approach with iran he extended his proverbial hand and said america was willing to sit down for direct talks with its long time adversarial how is it that three years later the u.s. seems closer to war with iran than it was during the bush administration it's an interesting story and it's a story that i tell in the book based on all the interviews with folks from the white house as well as the iranian negotiators and other actors who have been involved in this from the europ

research director for the national iranian american council and after that negotiations have a chance at succeeding take a listen i mean i'm always cautiously optimistic but it seems we can be successful it's a process that if you invest in over a sustained period of time then the two parties will eventually be able to figure out how to a meeting of the minds can become possible but after three decades of little or no communication between iran and the united states there's no question that it's going to be a very challenging task that all sides are facing and you know i think being on the precipice of war has really focused the attention of various decision makers in various capitals and focus them specifically on the need for all parties to compromise and likely things like the introduction to the show said talking the talk is one thing but now it's time to walk the walk and in the run up to these negotiations taking place there's a lot of backroom politicking going on to see if we can make this happen so i'm optimistic they can do you think we can expect any significant breakthroug

would lose out on the talk more about this trita parsi founder and president of the national iranian american council and author of the book a single roll of the dice welcome to the show trita . so i want to start off by talking about oil prices a president of the republicans are blaming president obama for the rising prices at the pump people are getting frustrated it's costing for citing some reports that a five dollars a gallon but how much does the conflict in iran have to do with it actually has quite a lot to do with it and the president is putting the blame right back at the feet of the republicans if you took note of the speech that he gave at the apec conference about two weeks ago or so he really warned against what he called this reckless talk about war because what war is doing the talk is doing is that it's being a lot of risk premium to the oil prices which is causing them to rise which is actually causing the iranian government to make more money out of the war that they can sell so the only losers in this actually would be the president himself the republicans don't seem to mind too m

city areas that are coming and that was treated parsi the founder and president of the national iranian american council and author of barclays single roll the dice and that's going to do it for now for more on the stories we covered you can head over to youtube dot com slash artsy america you can also check out our website it is r t dot com slash usa and you.

video of her coming in and was treated part of the the founder and president of the national iranian american council and author of the book a single roll of the day. and that's going to do it for the news for tonight but don't change the channel the big picture is coming up after the top of the hour and a town breakdown the shocking numbers regarding wall street and the nation's wealth inequality sadly it looking like the motto too big to fail maybe true plus are republicans really going to take the bait with their golden boy with their golden boy paul ryan's budget plan or will they finally stand up for the ninety nine percent and later it's home we'll take your viewer comments and his your take my take segment that's all next on.

national day of service. iranian americans helping pack and sort food at the san francisco food bank. the national iranian american council is holding community events around the bay area and the nation. >> i was born in iran and came here when i was five or six, and been here ever since. so iran is my homeland but this is definitely my country. >> while they do their volunteer work here their minds are thousands of miles away in iran where they still have family members. iranian leaders are moving forward with the nuclear program, which u.s. and israel consider a dire threat. israel is hinting at a possible military strike on its own. prime minister benjamin netanyahu was set to meet with president obama on monday. mr. obama is facing increasing pressure to -- >> sergeant -- israel has an issue as well. iran is talking about wiping israel off the map and that's obviously troublesome. but i think israel and america and all the other countries can come to a diplomatic solution. >> not beneficial for the country of israel to ewan hat'llly attack iran. i don't see any benefit for the people of israel or anymore of america or

market price it's now new sanctions over iran have also been influencing cost from the national iranian american council says the west can only blame itself for the spike in prices the real problem here is that the u.s. and the e.u. have passed these on president saying sharon's without a real strategy or understanding of comes next we're sort of making this up as we go along and we're finding that the sanctions that we put in place to try to restrict iran from profiting off of oil sales is really actually backfiring on us and that iran has tremendous leverage against us if we're going to take this confrontation to one to energy so i'm skeptical of the ability of the united states and france and others to actually mitigate this president obama has even said a number of economists have said that the fear of a war with iran has actually added about twenty dollars to the price of a barrel of oil so this concern that israel may strike iran or that the united states may end up in a war with iran is one of the driving factors of why it's so expensive and simply addressing the supply issue is not going to miti

. >> the national iranian american council is holding events around the bay area and the country to celebrate their national heritage and give back to their communities. it comes at a time of tension between their homeland and the country they now call home. iranian americans were doing charity work at the san francisco food bank. they call it a national day of service. this year it is taking place under a crowd in their homeland. iran is moving ahead with its nuclear program and israel is hinting at a possible attack. >> there's some sort of unpleasant rhetoric coming from both parties and it's a lot of talk but i think if you look at the history of iran, it's generally not someone who is going to go and attack other people unprovoked. >> iran continues to move forward with its nuclear program, which is the u.s. and israel consider a threat. israel is suggesting it might attack iran on its own. prime minister knelt netanyahu is set to meet with president obama on monday. mr. obama is facing pressure to put more pressure on iran. >> one is the sanctions and another one is attack the iranian r

, now i say this because on february 1st there was a meeting in washington about the national iranian american council, which was attended primarily by hans blicks and rita parsy, former u.n. wminspector, and colin cowell. what they went through was the november 2011 report which contain s and the fact that that intelligence came through and was not verified they said thlligce they had aboq way back in 1990s, theynhe u.n. council because it was not verified -- >> do you have a question here, because i'm trying to keep up with you young lady. >> one quick point, the point was made that japan has a lot of plutonium. >> what is your question? >> where do you stand clearly on iran, on the question of iran? >> on the question of iran? >> okay. and i understand the direction you were taking there. and i think this is absolutely one of the, you go to the heart of how do we -- how do we challenge our assumptions and the intelligence and how do we come to a point of action, responsible action and not frozen by endless conversation, you have to always be open to new data. in the case of iran, they have not been

to restart talks on iran's alleged nuclear weapons program president rashid from the national iranian american council says it's crucial for regional stability but israel's worldwide cries are muzzled. after three decades of little or no communication between iran and the united states there's no question that it's going to be a very challenging path that all sides are facing and you know i think being on the precipice of war has to really focus the attention of various decision makers in various capitals and focus them specifically on the need for all parties to compromise and there's a difference between what the united states and the international community are asking for and what do you really would prefer and these negotiations are going to be an opportunity to figure out how to try and square that circle i think it's safe to say that any honest and objective analyst would agree that iran will not give up its nuclear program in its entirety but it will agree to limitations that are monitored america by the international atomic energy agency the policy isn't supposed to produce instant success you

said an american attack on iran would be far more effective these are malarkey from the national iranian american council says it's crucial for regional stability that israel's warlike cries are not. after three decades of war the no communication between iran and the united states there's no question that it's going to be a very challenging path that both sides are facing and you know i think being on the precipice of war has really focused the attention of the various decision makers in various capitals and focus them specifically on the need for our parties to compromise and there's a difference between what the united states and the international community are asking for and what the israelis would prefer they have done a very good job of trying to take actions that would lessen the possibility of the promise of being successful but the obama administration understands better than anyone right now what's at stake he's taken multiple steps publicly and privately to push back and i'm hoping that we're going to see more of that continue because if it doesn't they're going to continue to try to bully. it

talk now to resit rashid director of research at the national iranian american council reza thanks so much for being with us and how likely are these new talks to succeed in your opinion first of all we've kind of been here before but is something different about them this time around. you know that we have been here before but there is probably two things that are very different one we haven't seen the situation between iran and the international community be at such a fever pitch we've never been so close to the precipice of war as we are now and i think that's focused the attention of decision makers not only in washington teheran but throughout the international community on and investing in a process of sustainable she actions and letting all parties know they need to compromise rather than exchanging ultimatums so we have a few weeks before the talks commence and to be a lot of back room politicking trying to figure out how we can find constructive solutions towards peace and and hopefully all parties involved including the israelis but not limited to what will invest in that pr

iranian americans in san francisco give a day of service to the community. the work at the food bank was part of the event sponsored around the bay area by the national iranian american council. the hard wor giving was in stark contrast to the events in their homeland. iran is moving forward with its nuclear program. the u.s. and israel consider at it big threat. israel may strike iran on its own. >> hopefully several didn't -- several doesn't go it allobe. iran is talking about wiping israel off the map and that's obviously troublesome, but i think i th and all the other countries can come to a diplomatic solution. >> yesterday's elections in iran favor the conservative opposition, meaning tehran will most likely continue its nuclear program. locally people of iran ran disscent or hoping for peace. >> edindicates and parents and students kicked off a campaign to protect their schools from state cuts. if approved by voters in may, the measure 8 parcel tax would raise $2.3 million a year in local funning for the next five years. the district is facing a budget shortfall of more than $8 million for the current school year. >> been able to pass bond measures in this community.

thank you getting for coming in that was treated parsi the founder and president of the national iranian american council and author of the book a single roll the dice meanwhile some countries are benefiting from sanctions against iran india one of iran's biggest oil buyers is now getting their fuel for much cheaper jelly not caving in to pressure from the west to follow its lead in stopping imports of iranian oil and dealing with it central bank argues pressure either takes a look at how not everyone is following suit and the last sanctioning iran. the message is clear if iran's intransigence continues it will face increasing pressure and isolation the west is ramping up the pressure on you kelly to follow its lead in stopping imports of iranian oil and dealing with its central bank but india refused its apollo's to. you don. a former u.s. state department official said that india's failure to stand with the glass on the oil embargo is a slap in the face pretty united states and raises questions about india's ability to lead but despite all that indian officials won't budge on the issue india is the run

to this point in the discussion here discussing with mr maki policy director of the national iranian american council well thanks so much for joining us tonight i mean i don't know what do you say the fact that we're already having word games playing out about this in these simulations does that mean that it's kind of reached a point where it seems well like it's getting more real than just hypothetical it certainly reached a dangerous point i think the fact that we're having these war games is actually it's actually really positive because we need to have an honest airing out of what war with iran looks like to understand what the options are you know we've had a systematic effort to take options off the table if the diplomacy is not going to work we need to do sanctions that we did sessions so much and are going to work we need to do war now finally we're actually having a conversation about well there is no military solution so maybe we need to go back to square one and figure out what the other options are to actually resolve this conflict instead of to perpetuate it and create this disastrous co

posting is perfectly fine as far as we can tell i have been speaking to people at the national iranian american councilby having a facebook page i understand she has been taking lessons for about a year now but i don't think she is part of an organized political movement overall they consider this, political journalists an under ground movement because of restrictions imposed against women and the fact some body posted it the fact she is doing it i am assuming there are no men in that audience national iranian council says that is one of the morality laws. >>> the sad thing is i fear for this little girl, because how many stories have we seen out of country that is do have these i know there is a name for it, a set of laws that prohibit this sort of thing in front of men. >> women from doing certain things. >> maybe it is my maternal thing i hope that she will be safe >> i think you are right this was posted on a big news website there were a lot of commentthat sentiment is what would happen to tara if the government found out, what the poster is saying it was a man who posted this monday he said as fa

iranian americans gave a day of work this week. the work at the san francisco today bank was sponsored around the bay area by the national iranian american council. the hard work and giving was in stark contrast to events in their homeland. iran is moving forward with their nuclear program. the u.s. and israel considers it a big threat and israel may strike iran on its own. >> hopefully israel doesn't go in alone, but israel has an issue as well. iran is talking about blog them off the map and things like that, and that's obviously troublesome. i think israel and america and all the other countries can come to a diplomatic solution. >> friday's elections in iran favored the conservative opposition, meaning they will most likely continue with the nuclear program. the folks at the food bank yesterday said they are hoping for peace. lisa argen joins us now talking about a great day yesterday. if you like it warm, it will be greater today. >> right. really getting toward shorts and t-shirt weather. >> i was there yesterday. >> right. >> in fact i was there the day before that, too. >> all winter long, right? back in december. here's mount tam and th

iranian americans gave a week of work this week. it was sponsored around the bay area by the national iranian american council. the hard work and giving was in stark contrast to events in their homeland. iran is moving forward with their nuclear program. israel considers it a big threat and israel may strike iran on its own. >> hopefully israel doesn't go in alone but israel has an issue as well. iran is talking about blog them off the map and things like that, and that's obviously troublesome. i think israel and america and all the other countries can come to a diplomatic solution. >> friday election in iran favored the conservative opposition, meaning they will most likely continue with the nuclear program. the folks at the food bank yesterday said they are hoping for peace. lisa argen joins us now balking it about the forecast. gone you can get muchler than yesterday >> we will warm up so we will see way more 70s today. we saw a couple 60s yesterday. this morning the temperatures are 2 to 6 degrees warmer. starting out warmer means perhaps we will see numbers five, seven degrees warmer, but any records? i'l

let's continue that will discussionings with reeza marashi of the national iranian american council.up at this particular test site, is anyone prepared to actually guess as to what it is they're covering up? >> that's a great question, brooke. right now these unconfirmed reports from unnamed diplomats don't give us a lot to work with. i would say it's certainly a cause for concern as are many factors pertaining to iran's nuclear program. we have to put this in its proper context which is one of many outstanding questions that we need to use diplomacy and negotiations in order to get the iranians to address them in good faith, comprehensively and fully. >> again, iran has is denied again today that it's seeking nuclear weapons. then you have israel saying, of course, they want the weapons. the united states, you mentioned diplomacy. president mentioned that the other day. interesting comments that were recently from the u.s. director of national intelligence. let's listen to that. >> dissension and debate in the political hierarchy of iran so there is not unanimity about this. >> we d

iranian americans gave a day of service to community. the work at san francisco food bank was part of the event sponsored in the bay area by the national iranian bay area councilevents in their homeland. they are moving ahead with the nuclear program and israel may strike iran on its own. >> they have of an issue, as well. iran has talked about wiping israel off the map and that obviously trouble. i think israel and america and all the other countries can come to a diplomatic solution. >> terry: elections in iran favor the conservative opposition, meaning that tehran will continue with their nuclear program the folks say they are hoping for peace. >>> educators, parents and students in the sanity clare unified school district has kicked off a campaign to protect their schools from state cuts. if approved by voters in may, the measure "a" parcel tax $2.3 million per year in local funding for the next five years. district is facing a budget shortfall of more than $8 million for the current school year. >> we've been able to pass our measures in this community. we have wonderful facilities and the community has been supportive. but we need them to step up a littl

statement that has groups like the national iranian council taking out a full page ad in the "washington post," urging president obama to avoid war. the bay area iranian-american democrats told nbc people in iran are suffering as their future hangs in the balance. >> unfortunately they closed their doors and they are not talking to anybody. they are not thinking about their people. as a result there is about 20% unemployment in iran. >> tomorrow thousands of people will be here to welcome president perez, but demonstrators are expected here as well. security will be tight with no parking for blocks all-around temple emmanuel. live in san francisco, nbc bay area news. >> new details in the case against san francisco's sheriff. the judge said he will allow his ex-to testify against him. it's a win for the prosecution. ex-girlfriend christina florez said he is a womanizer who bruised her arm. her lawyers want a change of venue saying a fair trial in san francisco is impossible. the attorney for lopez is challenging keeping a videotape of her client's bruised arm as evidence. a ruling that could come as early as wednesday. jury selection will resume tomorrow. >> o

american agenda in the region. if there's a united nations security council resolution which suggests that iran should be iranian oil should be blacklisted and india will follow suit on that now iran is probably likely to offer some light keener price to india than alternative suppliers doesn't the indian government have a duty to get the best deal for its country meaning it will simply go for the cheaper option. well it's a little bit of a difficult choice though and it's been easily pulled over to where your iranian oil for example is quite rich in sulfur content which makes refining cause quite expensive in india india's import of iranian oil does contribute to its own energy requirements what in the long term process india would be willing to reduce its dependency or indeed on the annoyed because of its spread of interests with the gulf it's just wrong opposed to iran as well so it's quite a tricky situation as you pointed out but i just want to the indians will be looking at the united states to resolve the are the political issues before we can actually move ahead said horace mann a research officer from the i