CBNNews.com - U.S. President Barack Obama issued a videotaped message, with Farsi subtitles, urging Iranian leaders seeking "engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect."

"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us and to pursuing constructive ties," the U.S. President said.

"The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations," Obama declared.

"For nearly three decades relations between our nations have been strained. But at this holiday [Nowruz, the Iranian New Year] we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together," he said.

Obama's olive branch comes in spite of ongoing threats by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Kahmenei calling Israel a "cancerous tumor" that must be wiped off the world map.

Iran has financed, armed and trained the Lebanese-based Hezbollah terror group and Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.