Let's talk: a screen grab from US President Barack Obama's video message to Iran, released by the White House
Obama offers Iran a 'new beginning'
US President Barack Obama offered Iran a "new beginning" of diplomatic engagement, offering to turn the page on decades of US policy towards America's long-time foe.
"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties," Obama said in a videotpaed message released to select Middle East broadcast outlets this morning.
Obama went further than he has since taking office on 20 January in extending an olive branch to Tehran, which has been locked in bitter disputes with Washington over Iranian nuclear ambitions and support for militant Islamic groups.
The Obama administration - in a major shift from former President George W. Bush's isolationist approach towards Iran, which he once branded part of an "axis of evil" - has expressed an openness to face-to-face diplomatic contacts with Tehran.
Reaching out directly to Iranian leaders and their people, Obama said: "This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect."
He said the US wanted Iran to take its "rightful place in the community of nations," but also insisted that Tehran do its part to achieve reconciliation.
"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," Reutes quoted Obama as saying.
"The measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create," he added, alluding to Iran's contested nuclear programme and its missile development efforts.
To stress the seriousness of Obama's overture, the White House distributed the videotape with Farsi subtitles and posted it on its website to coincide with Iran's Nowruz festival, which marks the arrival of spring.
"I would like to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Obama said in a conciliatory tone that contrasted sharply with Bush's hardline approach.
"We seek the promise of a new beginning."
Obama's willingness to talk to US enemies like Iran has been welcomed internationally as a departure from what many saw as Bush's go-it-alone "cowboy diplomacy" epitomised by the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.
Though Obama stopped short of specific offers, he said he was seeking "a future with renewed exchanges among our people and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce".
However, he acknowledged: "This won't be reached easily."
The US is at loggerheads with Iran over its nuclear programme, which Washington claims is aimed at building atomic weapons, while Tehran insists it is for the peaceful generation of electricity.
Obama has also insisted that Iran end support for groups the US considers terrorist organisations and cease "bellicose language" towards US ally Israel.
The US cut off diplomatic ties with Iran during the 1979-1981 hostage crisis, in which a group of militant Iranian students held 52 US diplomats hostage at the American Embassy for 444 days.
Obama has said the US is prepared to extend a hand of peace to Iran if it "unclenched its fist".
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said he is open to talks with Washington, but has demanded a fundamental change to US policy in the Middle East.
In what was seen as an initial overture, the Obama administration said recently it would invite Tehran to an international conference on Afghanistan later this month. Iran has said it would consider the invitation.