Obama sends video address to Iran urging new beginning

U.S. President Barack Obama sent a special message to Iranians on Nowruz (New Year’s Day), urging them to have a “new beginning in diplomatic relations” with U.S. and others rather than pursuing objectives through guns and terror.

President Obama recorded the address to the people living in Iran in a video. He wished them a Happy New Year. Iran celebrates Nowruz today. The secular holiday is Iran's new year and the first day of Spring. As the Wall Street Journal reports, Obama told the Persian audience:

"Today I want to extend my very best wishes to all who are celebrating Nowruz around the world. This holiday is both an ancient ritual and a moment of renewal, and I hope that you enjoy this special time of year with friends and family."

Obama wants to improve strained relations that have been ongoing for the past three decades between the two countries. Obama said:

Within these celebrations lies the promise of a new day, the promise of opportunity for our children; security for our families; progress for our communities; and peace between nations. Those are shared hopes. Those are common dreams.

Instead of living in isolation, Obama wants them to join a community of nations:

The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. 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, and the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create.

With cooperation, Obama said it will bring greater opportunities for partnership and commerce for Iran. He said with partnership, Iran can live in greater peace and security alongside their neighbors. Obama said this requires a lot of effort from all parties involved, but stressed it is achievable. He then quoted the words of their famous poet Saadi, who said:

"The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence."

He closed the speech in Farsi with Eid-eh Shoma Mobarak, which means "Have a Happy New Year" in English.The video is available in closed captions both in English and in Farsi, Iran’s main language.