US President Obama sends video-message to Iranians

For the second year in a row, U.S. President Obama has sent a message to the Iranian people on New Year's holiday, known as Nowruz, a 12-day holiday celebrating the beginning of the New Year on the Persian calendar.

In the video, Obama offered increased educational programmes to allow young Iranians to study in the United States, and hinted at the U.S. would take an active role to ensure online communication. He said the Iranian government had "chosen to isolate itself" but that the US still wanted justice and dignity for Iranians, and less internet censorship.

"Over the course of the last year, it is the Iranian government that has chosen to isolate itself, and to choose a self-defeating focus on the past over a commitment to build a better future,” said Obama.

“Even as we continue to have differences with the Iranian government, we will sustain our commitment to a more hopeful future for the Iranian people,” he said.