State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said on Monday that Iranian diplomats are still welcome to attend Fourth of July parties at U.S. embassies around the world:
"There's no thought to rescinding the invitations to Iranian diplomats," Kelly said. "We have made a strategic decision to engage on a number of fronts with Iran. And -- and we tried many years of isolation, and we're pursuing a different path now."
Fox News's Major Garrett asked the president at the ongoing press conference if that is still the case. Obama replied:
we don't have formal diplomatic relations with Iran. I think that we have said that if Iran chooses a path that abides by international norms and principles, then we are interested in healing some of the wounds of 30 years, in terms of U.S.-Iranian relations. But that is a choice that the Iranians are going to have to make. Q But the offer still stands? THE PRESIDENT: That's a choice the Iranians are going to have to make.
Does that mean there's a deadline by which the Iranian militias need to stop shooting innocent women in the streets in order to enjoy the July 4th barbecues? Update: This post has been updated to include Obama's full response.