Obama: This is a historic time for US-Iran relations

US President Barack Obama yesterday called on the Iranian leadership and people to take nuclear talks as a historical opportunity to mend ties between the two countries.

In a video message to celebrate the Iranian spring festival of Nowruz, the president said: “I want to take this opportunity once again to speak directly to the people and leaders of Iran. This year, we have the best opportunity in decades to pursue a different future between our countries.”

He said that for decades, the two nations had been separated by mistrust and fear, adding that there was a chance to make progress which would benefit both countries.

Obama added that over a year ago, the permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, or P5+1 countries, reached an initial understanding with Iran regarding its nuclear programme.

The days and weeks ahead would be critical, the president said, as the negotiations are expected to produce a framework of a comprehensive agreement by the end of March while “gaps remain”.

“And there are people, in both our countries and beyond, who oppose a diplomatic resolution. My message to you – the people of Iran – is that, together, we have to speak up for the future we seek,” Obama added.

Besides hardliners in the Islamic Republic, many members of the US Congress – mostly Republicans – are critical of the nuclear talks.

Recently, a group of 47 American Senators sent an open letter to the leadership of Iran, saying that any agreement to be reached will not be upheld after President Obama leaves office in 2016 as the new president and Congress will block it.

In his message, Obama reiterated that the nuclear issue should be resolved via diplomacy.

“So there is a way for Iran – if it is willing to take meaningful, verifiable steps – to assure the world that its nuclear programme is, in fact, for peaceful purposes only,” he said.

Tehran denies allegations that it seeks to produce nuclear weapons and insists that its programme is solely for peaceful purposes.

Top US and Iranian diplomats met for a fourth day in a row in Lausanne, Switzerland, yesterday, to reach a deal before a 31 March deadline for a framework agreement.