Obama Iran Video

Barack Obama is reaching out to the Iranian people, via video. He has recorded a special video message for the Iranian celebration of ‘New Day’ (Nowruz). The President said he wanted to send a special message to the government and people of Iran, acknowledging that relations between Iran and the United States has been strained. Here is the video of the Obama message to Iran.

Obama to Iran - Video

Obama restates his commitment to ‘a future of honest and respectful diplomacy’ and directly addresses the Iranian government.

Here is a transcript of his video message to Iran:

So in this season of new beginnings I would like to speak clearly to Iran’s leaders. We have serious differences that have grown over time. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community. This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect.

You, too, have a choice. 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.

So on the occasion of your New Year, I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek. It’s a future with renewed exchanges among our people, and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce. It’s a future where the old divisions are overcome, where you and all of your neighbors and the wider world can live in greater security and greater peace.

I know that this won’t be reached easily. There are those who insist that we be defined by our differences. But let us remember the words that were written by the poet Saadi, so many years ago: “The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence.”

With the coming of a new season, we’re reminded of this precious humanity that we all share. And we can once again call upon this spirit as we seek the promise of a new beginning.

Well isn’t this special! How wonderful of our President to validate a regime that is committed to our destruction and who has been at war with us for years, by providing weapons, money and insurgents actively fighting our Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iran has provided weapons to Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas and anyone, anywhere that fights the United States and/or Israel.

I can just imagine the legitimacy this gives the little Hitler, Ahmadinejad. Remember when Columbia University allowed Ahmadinejad to speak there? He gave a rambling speech about the evils of the United States. Since he controls the media, he was able to control the message that the Iranian people heard (sound familiar?). Regardless of what happened at his speech, his victory over the United States was declared in the Iranian press.

Ahmadinejad entered New York City, the belly of the beast, and emerges the great conquerer. So says Ahmadinejad, so reports the Iranian news.

Now Obama has given him a video that we can imagine will be used as proof that the United States is shaking in our collective boots and our President is begging Iran to talk to us. He has given Ahmadinejad more fodder for his propaganda.

I wonder if we’ll have a single day in which there isn’t an outrage, embarrassment and gaff committed by this President. I hope there is a day in which he will consider what is good for our Republic rather than what’s in his own immediate best interest.