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"I have made it clear that the United States of America wants to move beyond this past," Obama said. (Reuters) |
WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama used the 30th anniversary of the Iran hostage crisis on Wednesday, November 4, to urge Tehran to turn the page on the past and forge a new relationship with the US.
"This event helped set the United States and Iran on a path of sustained suspicion, mistrust, and confrontation," Obama said in a statement cited by Agence France Presse (AFP).
"I have made it clear that the United States of America wants to move beyond this past, and seeks a relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran based upon mutual interests and mutual respect."
On the same day 1979, Iranian students stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
The action strained US-Iranian relations and pushed Washington to rapture diplomatic ties with Tehran till now.
Thousands of Iranians staged a noisy anti-US rally in central Tehran to mark the storming of the American embassy.
Huge crowds from early morning descended on the former US embassy complex in central Tehran, dubbed the "Den of Spies."
They smashed up posters they had brought with them of the American "Uncle Sam" symbol.
The hostility between American and Iran increased in recent years, especially under former US president George W. Bush, who lumped Iran into an "axis of evil" along with North Korea and Iraq.
The US and Israel accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons while Tehran insists that its program is for peaceful civilian use.
After his inaugurations early this year, Obama offered a "new beginning" engagement with Iran, seeking to open up diplomatic channels.
Nuke Deal
Obama also used the occasion to urge Iran to accept the UN-drafted nuclear deal.
"It is time for the Iranian government to decide whether it will make the choices that will open the door to greater opportunity, prosperity and justice for its people."
He noted that the US has recognized Iran's right to peaceful nuclear power and has taken steps, along with other Western powers, to restore Tehran's confidence.
"Iran must choose," Obama stressed.
"We have heard for thirty years what the Iranian government is against; the question, now, is what kind of future it is for."
Iran said on Monday that it wants more talks on a UN-drafted nuclear deal and to import atomic fuel rather than send its own uranium abroad for processing, terms the world powers are likely to rebuff.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton insisted on Monday that no changes would be made to the original deal to accommodate the Iranian demands.
"This is a pivotal moment for Iran," Clinton said.
"Acceptance fully of this proposal would be a good indication that Iran does not wish to be isolated and does wish to cooperate."
Obama said if Iran accepts the extended hand, things would be much better.
"We have made clear that if Iran lives up to the obligations that every nation has, it will have a path to a more prosperous and productive relationship with the international community."
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