Iran

Barack on Iran in the first Presidential debate on 9/26/08






The United States has had tortuous relations with Tehran since the
Islamic revolution in 1979, but Pres. Obama's message speaks of "new beginnings" with the promise of a new year.

Pres. Obama’s message was released on YouTube by BBC News and the White House Web site on 3.20.09 with Persian-language subtitles on the occasion of Nowruz, the Persian new year and start of an annual two-week long spring holiday . It comes almost 30 years after the United States broke off diplomatic relations with Iran, when militant students empowered by the Iranian revolution took over the American Embassy in Tehran and held more than 50 people hostage for 444 days.

Pres. Obama warned Iran’s leaders that their country’s access to what he called its “rightful place in the community of nations” would not be advanced by threats or by “terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions.”

"We have serious differences that have grown over time. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community. This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek, instead, engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect." - Pres. Obama

[Transcript: A New Year, A New Beginning ] [ Iran's response ]

Israeli president, Shimon Peres, issued an audio statement


Embedded video from CNN Video

Mr. Ahmedinejad's press advisor Ali-Akbar Javanfekr noted that Iran "welcomes" President Obama's call for better relations, but tempered his remarks with criticism of past U.S. policies towards Iran, in addition to calling for "concrete" actions from Mr. Obama.

"Mr. Obama has talked of change, but has taken no practical measures to redress America's past mistakes in Iran. If Mr. Obama takes a concrete action and makes fundamental changes to U.S. foreign policy towards other nations, including Iran, the Iranian government and people will not turn their back on him. Mr. Obama has referred to differences between Iran and the US. We believe that those differences stem from Washington's hostile policy towards Iran. Minor changes will not end the differences."


Ayatollah Khamenei said he sees no change in U.S. policy toward Iran