Obama tells Iran to grasp 'historic' chance
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US President Barack Obama told the people and leaders of Iran on Thursday that nuclear talks presented "the best opportunity in decades" for the two countries to transform long-frayed ties, but warned there was still work to do in the tortuous negotiations.
It came after mixed messages emerged from the talks earlier in the day in Switzerland, where US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart hailed "progress," but a European negotiator said Tehran and the six major powers were "pretty far from a deal."
The countdown has begun with a March 31 deadline to agree to the outlines of an agreement that would see Iran scale back its nuclear program in return for relief from sanctions.
In his annual address to mark the Persian new year festival of Nowruz, Obama -- in a video message -- spoke directly to the Iranian people and their leaders.
