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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join Iran at an international conference on Afghanistan in The Hague, following through on a promise by President Obama to deal with Tehran on issues of mutual concern. Joe Cirincione told Reuters, “This is not a Nixon goes to China moment. You will have a series of incremental steps — small pieces that put together the mosaic of a new relationship.”

President Obama's Norooz message "initiated a much needed direct conversation between Iran and the U.S," writes  Dr.

In a significant departure from the previous administration’s tone, President Obama welcomed "new beginnings" with Iran in a surprise video message marking Nowruz, the Iranian new year. The video does not specifically address the nuclear standoff, but instead recognizes the contribution of Iran's historical culture and calls on Tehran's leaders to turn a new page. "These challenges are interconnected and Obama gets that," said Ploughshares Fund President Joe Cirincione.

The Obama administration is considering a major diplomatic overture to Iran, in the form of a letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, before the country's presidential elections in June.