Obama offers new start with Iran

"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties," Obama said in an unprecedented video message released to Middle East broadcasters to mark Iranian New Year.

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

Relations have been almost deep-frozen for decades, and remain blighted by differences over Iran's nuclear programme, Iraq, Israel and other thorny issues.

In separate New Year messages to their nation, neither Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei nor President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad mentioned Obama's offer. Khamenei said world powers had been persuaded they could not block Iran's nuclear progress.

But Aliakbar Javanfekr, aide to Ahmadinejad, told Reuters: "The Iranian nation has shown that it can forget hasty behaviour but we are awaiting practical steps by the United States.

"The Obama administration so far has just talked," he added, calling for "fundamental changes in his policy towards Iran."

The United States has no diplomatic relations with Tehran, which it accuses of backing militant groups and seeking to develop a nuclear bomb under cover of a civilian atomic power programme -- a charge Iran denies.

Javanfekr said Iran welcomed "the interest of the American government to settle differences." But he said the United States "should realise its previous mistakes and make an effort to amend them."

Washington's sanctions against Tehran were "wrong and need to be reviewed." Its backing for Israel, Iran's main enemy in the region, was "not a friendly gesture."

The White House distributed the Obama video with Farsi subtitles and posted it on its website. It was not shown or mentioned on Iran's main 2 pm state television news, but was reported by Iranian news agencies.

Mohammad Hassan Khani, assistant professor of international relations at Tehran's Imam Sadiq University, described it as a positive gesture but noted it came only a week after the extension of US economic sanctions.

"This is somehow conflicting and making people here confused," he said.

Saeed Laylaz, editor of the Sarmayeh business daily, said Obama's move was significant but "it is not enough. They should have taken more brave steps towards better ties with Iran," such as easing the sanctions.

Obama has already expressed a readiness to have face-to-face diplomatic contacts with Tehran, a major shift from former President George W. Bush's policy of trying to isolate a country he once branded part of an "axis of evil."

Obama said the United States 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 civilization," Obama said.

"The measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create," he added, apparently alluding to Iran's contested nuclear programme and its missile development efforts.

President Ahmadinejad has demanded Washington say sorry for decades of "crimes" against the Islamic Republic. Tehran also says it cannot let down its guard as long as U.S. troops are posted on its borders in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Analysts have said that Iran is setting tough conditions for dialogue with the United States to buy time for its ponderous and opaque decision-making process, which is facing a dilemma on whether or not to open up.

Adding to uncertainty, the Islamic Republic holds a presidential election in June that could strengthen moderate voices backing detente over their more hardline opponents.

Ultimately policy will be determined by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Rapprochement with Washington would reverberate through the Middle East -- for example in Lebanon, where Shi'ite movement Hezbollah, with a powerful guerrilla wing, is backed by Tehran.

"Although it is a timid overture, it is a good beginning, particularly for Lebanon," said Ousama Safa, director of the Lebanese centre for policy studies.

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said he hoped Iran would pay close attention to Obama's appeal.

"I hope that that will open a new chapter in relations with Iran," he told reporters before going into an EU summit.

Obama made no specific offers, but said he wanted "a future with renewed exchanges among our people and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce."

"This won't be reached easily," he acknowledged.

The United States cut off diplomatic ties with Iran during a 1979-1981 crisis, when militant Iranian students held 52 US diplomats hostage at the American Embassy for 444 days.

Obama said earlier this year he was ready to extend a hand of peace to Iran if it "unclenched its fist." His administration has said it will invite Tehran to a conference on Afghanistan this month. Iran has said it will consider the invitation.