AIC Executive Director Emad Kiyaei speaks with Al Jazeera America on importance of dialogue with Iran

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera America, AIC Executive Director Emad Kiyaei discusses the reasons for mistrust between the U.S. and Iran. He stresses the importance of interaction between the two societies, and explains the deep mistrust that has characterized US-Iran relations, saying that events such as the hostage crisis in 1979 and the US support for Iraq in the 1980s have given both sides reason to mistrust one another. He also underscores the importance of exchanges and governmental dialogue, and says, “If the lack of civil society exchanges continue, then obviously we will remain in the shadows of understanding.”