TEHRAN: Iran called on US President-elect Barack Obama yesterday not to repeat what it said were false accusations leveled against the country by the outgoing administration in Washington.
The United States accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons and President George W. Bush has spearheaded a drive to isolate Tehran internationally.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran would respond in an “appropriate and timely” way to any change in US behavior toward the country, which is embroiled in a row with the West over its disputed nuclear plans.
Iran has reacted cautiously to Obama’s election victory, saying it is waiting to see whether his presidency will herald real change in US foreign policy. Obama last week said he views Iran as a “genuine threat” but still favors initiating a dialogue with it.
On Sunday, he said he will take a new approach toward Tehran that will emphasize respect for the Iranian people and spell out what the US expects of its leaders.
“We have to see whether or not this change in orientation (by Obama) is in practice and whether it will bring about fundamental change in the behavior and stance of America in relation to Iran,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said.
He said Obama should not “repeat past statements and instances whose falsehood has been demonstrated by Iran,” a reference to US accusations about Tehran’s nuclear plans and other issues.
