Iranian President Hassan Rouhani 's arrival in Tehran Saturday was marked by an incident during which a shoe was thrown by a protester in his direction , Iran 's semi-official Fararu news agency said . A group of Iranian protesters , opposed to dialog with the United States , were at Tehran 's airport where Rouhani supporters had also gathered to welcome the president home , Fararu said . Rouhani left the airport with his entourage without any further incident , and was accompanied by his supporters shouting , `` Rouhani , Rouhani we support you , '' according to Fararu . Rouhani , who was in New York for the U.N. General Assembly , spoke by telephone Friday with U.S. President Barack Obama -- the first direct conversation between leaders in Washington and Tehran since 1979 . Rouhani 's recent comments have raised hopes that a deal could be struck over the Iran 's controversial nuclear program . Western leaders believe the country 's nuclear program is designed to produce weapons . Iranian leaders have said it is purely peaceful . Shoe throwing is seen as highly offensive in the Middle East for cultural and religious reasons .
A protester throws a shoe toward Iranian President Hassan Rouhani , media report . The incident occurred at Tehran 's airport as the U.N. General Assembly returned from Tehran . Rouhani and U.S. President Hassan Rouhani had groundbreaking conversation 1979 .