Colleagues from the Persian section of Voice of America, Behrouz Nikzat and Mansour Hatefi, engaged for 15 minutes with listeners of Radio America in Iran today to gather opinions from Iranians regarding Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani's remarks yesterday about establishing relations with the U.S. and his proposal for holding a referendum to open negotiations with the U.S. Please refer to the complete recordings of these discussions and the reflections of the Iranian people's opinions here.
❓ Unknown
Poll on Hashemi Rafsanjani's Recent Remarks Regarding Establishing Relations with the U.S. - 2003-04-13
Feb 10, 2026
February 10, 2026
1 min read
📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway
Voice of America hosts a discussion with Iranian listeners about Hashemi Rafsanjani's recent comments on establishing relations with the U.S. and his suggestion for a referendum. This reflects a significant moment in Iranian political discourse regarding foreign relations.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
Rafsanjani's call for a referendum on U.S. relations reflects a significant moment in Iran's political discourse and potential shifts in foreign policy.
👥 Key Players
Hashemi Rafsanjani
MENTIONED
Former President of Iran and influential political figure
"Rafsanjani has been a key player in Iranian politics, advocating for reform and engagement with the West."
Voice of America
MENTIONED
International broadcasting service
"Provides a platform for discussions on U.S.-Iran relations and reflects diverse Iranian opinions."
📰 What Happened
Hashemi Rafsanjani suggested establishing relations with the U.S. and proposed a referendum to gauge public opinion on this issue. This sparked discussions among Iranians, as reflected in a segment by Voice of America.
- Rafsanjani's remarks indicate a potential shift in Iranian foreign policy discussions.
- The proposal for a referendum highlights the importance of public opinion in Iran's political landscape.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: Rafsanjani's comments could indicate a growing desire among some Iranian leaders to reconsider isolationist policies and engage with the West.
🌍 Regional: Improved U.S.-Iran relations could impact regional stability and alliances, particularly with neighboring countries wary of Iranian influence.
🌐 International: For the U.S. and its allies, Rafsanjani's remarks could signal an opportunity for diplomatic engagement with Iran.
📚 Background
Iran has a complex history with the U.S., marked by decades of hostility since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Rafsanjani's remarks suggest a potential opening for dialogue.
U.S.-Iran relations
Iranian political reform
📡 Source:
INTERNATIONAL
📊 Confidence:
70%
Voice of America is generally considered a reliable source for international news, though it may reflect U.S. perspectives.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
📍
Iran
100
📍
United States
100
🏢
Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
100
👤
Hashemi Rafsanjani
100
🏢
Credit Agricole
60
👤
Hadi al-Ameri
📌
OFAC Program: IRAN
🏢
Insurance Ma (TSE:ما)
📌
TSE:ما
📌
Integrated circuits
📌
SA
📌
Legal form: SA
🏢
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
🏢
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
🏢
ICE (Intercontinental Exchange)
🌐
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
📰 Related Coverage
23 min ago •
Global database reveals hidden diversity and potential of deep-sea microbes
27 min ago •
Middle East Anticipates U.S. Reaction to Iran's Latest Escalation
33 min ago •
Brazilian Sedge Reproduces Sexually Without Genetic Reshuffling, Producing Clonal Offspring
33 min ago •
H5N1 Bird Flu Claims Life of Australian Sea Lion, Raises Concerns for Marine Wildlife
42 min ago •