Source: Mehr News Agency, Tehran

President Barack Obama said on Tuesday that he expected "steady progress" in resolving disputes between the United States and Iran.

The new overture came after Obama sent a video message last week congratulating Iranians on Norooz, the Persian New Year. In his Norooz message Obama said, "For nearly three decades, relations between our nations have been strained. But at this holiday, we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together."

However, Obama repeated the U.S. claims that Iran is seeking nuclear arms and funds terrorism.

"Some people said, 'Well, they did not immediately say that we're eliminating nuclear weapons and stop funding terrorism,'" Obama told reporters, according to AFP.

"Well, we didn't expect that. We expect that we're going to make steady progress on this front," he said.

Contrary to such charges Iran's nuclear activities are solely intended for generating electricity and are closely monitored by the UN nuclear watchdog.

Washington also interprets Iran's moral support to Palestinian and Lebanese groups who fight to end Israel's occupation of their lands as "support for terrorism".

... Payvand News - 03/25/09 ... --

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