Politics / President Obama No Handshake: Obama, Iran President Won't Get Together For Tehran, it's 'too complicated' By John Johnson, Newser Staff Posted Sep 24, 2013 3:29 PM CDT Updated Sep 24, 2013 3:45 PM CDT Copied Campaigners from the global advocacy group Avaaz, dressed as presidents Obama and Rouhani, demand the two leaders negotiate a ceasefire to the Syrian crisis. (Jonathan Fickies/AP Images for Avaaz) US-Iran relations may be on the upswing, but a much-anticipated handshake between presidents Obama and Hasan Rouhani never materialized on the sidelines of today's UN meeting, reports NBC News. The White House had requested a quick meeting between the two leaders, but Iran balked because it was "too complicated for Iranians to do at this point," explains a UN official in a report from the Guardian. story continues belowShoe CEO Drops Business Sneakers Taking The NFL By Storm Finally, A Comfortable Shoe Thats Fit For The Office. With Comfort, Luxury, & Versatility Engineered Into Every Step, Wolf & Shepherd Shoes Are Specifically Designed For Those Who Want To Lead The Pack.Wolf & ShepherdShop NowUndoCloud-based accelerated computing fast-tracks GenAI at scale - Blueprint for A.I.CIO | Microsoft NvidiaUndoRelax In StyleBreezy chambray, intricate embroidery, and luxurious silk come together in our latest resort arrivals, perfect for sun-filled escapes and dreamy getaways.Johnny WasShop NowUndo That might mean that the meeting didn't get the green light from Iran's supreme leader back home, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (The New York Times today profiles the "enigmatic and cunning man," who is truly calling the shots in Tehran.) The lack of a presidential get-together means that a Thursday meeting between John Kerry and his counterpart from Iran will be the highest-level encounter. Rouhani addresses the General Assembly later today, and President Obama had positive things to say about him in his own address earlier. (More President Obama stories.) Report an error