Obama opens door to talks with Iran

Barack Obama told Iran's people today that the US wanted to engage with their country and end decades of strained relationship - if their leaders stopped making threats.

The US president Obama released a video message with Farsi subtitles that urged the two countries to resolve their long-standing differences.

His video was timed to the festival of Nowruz, which means "new day". It marks the arrival of spring and is a major holiday in Iran.

"So in this season of new beginnings I would like to speak clearly to Iran's leaders," Mr 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 US, Iran and the international community."

Mr Obama has signalled a willingness to speak directly with Iran about its nuclear programme and hostility towards Israel, a key US ally.

At his inauguration last month, the president said his administration would reach out to rival states, declaring: "We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

But Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has criticised Mr Obama as merely a continuation of President George Bush's policies towards Tehran's enemy, Israel.

Khamenei has called Israel a "cancerous tumour" that is on the verge of collapse and has called for its destruction.

In his message today, Mr Obama had a warning for Tehran: "This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect."

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Iran would welcome talks with the US - but only if there was mutual respect.

Iranian officials have said that means the US needs to stop accusing Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons and supporting terrorism, charges Tehran has denied.

Mr Obama and his foreign policy team are looking for opportunities to engage Iran and help reduce tensions between the two countries, which increased during Bush's time in office.

"You, too, have a choice. The US wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations," Mr Obama 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 civilisation."

The White House said the US still had serious differences with Iran, particularly on the threat a nuclear-armed Tehran poses to the region. But aides said the president's message was a way to speak directly to Iranians about the US commitment to work with the country.

The video was also an attempt to bypass government leaders. Mr Obama has said there are unelected leaders in Iran who could change the countries' position of hostility.

The White House said a Farsi subtitled version of the video would be given to select news outlets in the region. At the same time, the video would be available online in English and with Farsi captions.

The holiday Nowruz is not Islamic; Iranians of all religions celebrate the 12-day event. Traditionally, the US president and secretary of state release statements for Nowruz.

"For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained," Mr Obama said in his video message. "But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together."