DHAKA: Iranian newspapers on Wednesday welcomed a speech by US president Barack Obama for recognising Washington’s ‘past mistakes’, saying a new international mood that favours Tehran has begun.

In remarks before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Obama pushed for a ‘diplomatic path’ with the new Iranian government.

‘I don’t believe this difficult history can be overcome overnight – the suspicion runs too deep,’ Obama said in his speech.

‘But I do believe that if we can resolve the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme that can serve as a major step down a long road towards a different relationship – one based on mutual interests and mutual respect.’

The moderate Donya-e-Eqtesad daily greeted his ‘different tone’, while the conservative Jomhouri Eslami revelled in a declaration that ‘the United States does not seek regime change’ in Iran.

The reformist Shargh newspaper hailed the US leader’s speech for opening up ‘a new path’ for the relationship between the two arch-foes, which have had no diplomatic ties since 1980.

‘Even those most pessimistic to an opening in relations have accepted that the time for change has arrived,’ the paper’s editorial said, reports france24.com.

BDST: 2020 HRS, SEPT 25, 2013
RoR/SRS