President Obama Writes To Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei About ISIS Fight -- CNN

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader last month expressing the two countries' shared interest in beating ISIS, according to two sources briefed on the correspondence.

The letter, sent in October to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, conveyed that there is a shared interest in combating ISIS, but said resolving the talks regarding Iran's nuclear program was a main impediment to greater cooperation, the sources told CNN. One source added it was "the major" impediment. The Wall Street Journal first reported about the letter on Thursday.

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MIDDLE EAST

Islamic State suffering setbacks in Syria and Iraq .

Syrian government forces retake gas field from Islamic State: monitor .

U.S. launches fresh strikes on Khorasan group in Syria . US-led air raids target Syria rebel groups .

Obama wrote secret letter to Iran’s Khamenei about fighting Islamic State .

Report: Iran building ‘new Hezbollah’ in Syria .

In Southeast Iran, mourning the cost of a Sunni insurgency .

Security boosted in Jerusalem following Palestinian attack s.

Israel 'on brink of third intifada' .

Netanyahu seeks to reassure Jordan's king as tensions spike in Jerusalem .

Gaza flotilla raid: No Israel charges over Mavi Marmara . US general backs Israel on Gaza casualties .

U.S. denies telling Yemen ex-president to leave or face sanctions .

ASIA

China to clean up 'harmful' web videos; sites pledge to manage online comments .

China, US leaders to meet in Beijing .

NATO chief to Afghans: 'You will not stand alone' .

Pakistan disputes US on militant sanctuaries .

North Korea leader on TV without cane but still limping in sign of recovery .

Taiwan Defence Minister visits disputed Spratlys .

India to appoint new defense minister in cabinet expansion .

Japan-China relations strained over illegal coral poaching .

New Zealand rules out combat troops to fight Islamic State .

AFRICA

Burkina Faso crisis: African leaders press military to hand over power . Burkina Faso leaders agree power transition plan .

Ebola outbreak: UN 'lacks resources' to fight deadly virus .

16 men arrested by Nigeria soldiers 'found shot dead' .

Libya supreme court 'invalidates' elected parliament .

Gunmen storm Libya's El Sharara oilfield, shut down production .

E.Africa leaders tell S. Sudan rivals to return to 'reason' .

CAR refugees face difficult conditions in Cameroon.

Report: Africa ivory smuggled on China state visit .

EUROPE

Putin discusses 'deterioration' in east Ukraine, Kiev denies fresh offensive .

Self-defense forces repel tank attack on Donetsk suburb . Ukrainian forces deny launching new offensive in east .

Moscow says Kiev 'crudely violated' ceasefire .

US ‘launches money-laundering investigation’ into member of Putin’s circle . Kremlin says US probe of Putin ally is attack on president .

Russian ruble falls to new lows in rapid slide .

EU, US welcome new plan for Bosnia.

EU to press Luxembourg over tax breaks amid fresh allegations .

Clashes, water cannon as 100,000 march in Brussels against austerity .

Former Communists from East Germany set to return to power .

Hollande popularity plumbs new low in mid-term French poll .

AMERICAS

Obama, Republicans sound conciliatory note but battles loom .

Canada's Harper heads to China with pressure on all sides .

Mexicans in protest march over students .

Argentine leader Cristina Fernandez 'stable' in hospital .

Sexual violence rampant among El Salvador gangs .

U.S. weather forecaster slightly reduces El Nino chances .

'Trojan horse' bug lurking in vital US computers since 2011 .

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Spain arrests 10 for 'terrorist' Twitter, Facebook posts .

Jihadis on cruise ships to Syria.

U.S.-led air strikes hit al Qaeda affiliate in Syria .

U.S. strike in Syria reportedly kills key bomb-maker .

Military prowess of IS commander Umar Shishani called into question .

Kuwaiti detainee released after nearly 13 years at Guantanamo .

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Dow, S&P 500 hit records in volatile trading .

London home crowned world's most expensive at US$1.58 billion .

World oil prices plunge again to multi-year lows .

OPEC not in panic over sharp oil price fall .

Apple malware affects mostly Chinese users .