WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — President Barack Obama’s future Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan wrote in a 2007 memorandum that the next US president should negotiate with Iran on all issues rather than just on the nuclear issue, a draft memo hacked from Brennan’s private e-mails said.
"A direct US dialogue with Tehran… should not have a narrow focus, as the array of issues of most concern about Iran — engagement in terrorism and support to subnational ‘extremist’ groups as well as proliferation activities and regional ambitions are inextricably intertwined," the memorandum stated.
It advised the next US president — who proved to be Barack Obama — to "hit the ground running" and negotiate with Iran on a wide range of issues.
"A comprehensive framework for discussing these issues is required," the memorandum continued.
Obama brought Brennan, who had previously run the National Counterterrorism Center for President George W. Bush, into the administration right after taking office as his adviser on Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.
Brennan became head of the CIA in 2013, replacing General David Petraeus.
However, in his second administration, Obama followed a very different policy on Iran, successfully negotiating a nuclear accord, but to the exclusion of all other issues between the two countries.
The 2007 draft memo also advised the next president to appoint a presidential envoy to Iran.
"An ideal candidate for presidential envoy to Iran is former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who retains wide notoriety and respect throughout the region," Brennan then wrote.
He also put on his recommended list for the job former Vice President Al Gore, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, and former National Security Advisors Tony Lake and Brent Scowcroft, according to the memorandum.
On Wednesday, WikiLeaks released the hacked contents of Brennan's AOL account, and said it would release additional documents from the account on succeeding days.
