Obama calls for new start with Iran

The United States wants to engage with the people of Iran and end a decades-long strained relationship, U.S. President Barack Obama said in a recorded message on Friday.

But Iran downplayed the statement, saying that decades of mistrust can't easily be erased.

The video message, which features Farsi subtitles, was timed to coincide with the Nowruz festival in Iran. Meaning "new day," the 12-day Nowruz holiday period marks the beginning of spring.

"So in this season of new beginnings I would like to speak clearly to Iran's leaders," Obama said in the video. "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."

'No practical measures', says Iran

Minor changes will not end the differences between Tehran and Washington, said Ali Akbar Javanfekr, spokesman for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"Obama has talked of change but has taken no practical measures to address America's past mistakes in Iran," Javanfekr said.

The Obama administration must take concrete action to change its foreign policy and must end its sanctions against Iran for any progress to be made, Javanfekr said.

Washington has been locked in a bitter dispute with Tehran over its nuclear ambitions and support for Islamic groups.

The message was an attempt by the U.S. to bypass Iranian government leaders to speak directly to Iranian citizens about the U.S. commitment to work with the country, White House officials said.

"For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained," Obama said in the video message, which was distributed to selected local media outlets and posted online. "But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together."

In the video, Obama compliments Iran on its "celebrated culture."

"We know that you are a great civilization, and your accomplishments have earned the respect of the United States and the world," the president said.

Obama urged the two countries to resolve their longstanding differences but said that cannot be done unless Iranian officials stop making threats.

'Not advanced by threats'

"This process will not be advanced by threats," he said. "We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect."

Obama's foreign policy team has been seeking opportunities to engage with Iran and reduce tensions, which increased during former president George W. Bush's time in office.

Obama indicated in the video that he is willing to speak with Iran about its nuclear program and hostility toward Israel.

"The United States wants to Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations," he said. "You have that right but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization."

But Javanfekr said the U.S. support of Israel is not a "friendly gesture" and Washington should take the opportunity to change that policy.

Since Obama's inauguration, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has criticized the new president as merely a continuation of Bush's policies toward Israel.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Iran is willing to talk to the U.S., but the Americans must stop accusing Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism, if talks are to be successful.

In a statement issued on Friday, Khamenei said world powers cannot block Iran's nuclear progress and made no reference to Obama's message.

Though Obama stopped short of making specific diplomatic offers, he said the future relationship of the U.S. and Iran could include "renewed exchanges among our people and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce."

Challenging goals

Obama said old divisions can be overcome and provide greater security and peace in the world.

Those goals won't be "reached easily," the president acknowledged.

Javanfekr blamed the United States' "hostile policy toward Iran" for the tense ties between the two countries. He said Iranians "will never forget" Washington's past actions, including the U.S.-backed coup that toppled the elected government of Prime Minister Mohamed Mossadegh in 1953, its backing of Saddam Hussein during Iraq's war with Iran in the 1980s and the downing of an Iranian airliner in 1988 by a U.S. navy ship.

European Union foreign policy high representative Javier Solana said Friday that he hoped Iran would seriously consider the message contained in the video recording.

"I hope that that will open a new chapter in relations with Iran," Solana told reporters.