Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected overtures from U.S. President Barack Obama for improved relations between the two countries, saying on Saturday that U.S. policy has not changed under the new administration.
During a speech to tens of thousands of supporters in the holy city of Mashhad, Khamenei responded to a video message Obama released on Friday in which he said he hopes for a greater communication between the two countries after 30 years of strained relations.
The video was released as Iran marked Nowruz, the Persian new year.
As supreme leader, Khamenei makes major policy decisions for Iran, and so he will decide how the country responds to Obama's remarks.
There will be little change in relations between the two countries unless Obama makes major changes to U.S. foreign policy toward Iran, Khamenei said.
"They chant the slogan of change but no change is seen in practice. We haven't seen any change," Khamenei said.
In his video, Obama expressed hope for improved relations while also warning that Iran's place as a respected member of the international community "cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization."
Khamenei objected to the fact Obama sent best wishes for the new year while also accusing Iran of supporting terrorism and procuring nuclear weapons.
The remarks show that even Obama's rhetoric does not differ from his predecessor's, Khamenei said.
"He (Obama) insulted the Islamic Republic of Iran from the first day," Khamenei said. "If you are right that change has come, where is that change? What is the sign of that change? Make it clear for us what has changed."
Khamenei indicated that closer ties between the two countries could be achieved if a new tone is set by the Obama administration.
Diplomatic ties between the countries were severed after a group of students held 52 U.S. diplomats hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran for 444 days, beginning in November, 1979.
The hostage crisis came after the Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the pro-United States shah and brought in a government of Islamic clerics.
The two countries worked together in late 2001 and 2002 in the early days of the Afghanistan conflict, but the relationship was destroyed when George W. Bush included Iran in his so-called "Axis of Evil."
Obama has sent signals that he would like to work with Iran on issues such as its nuclear program and its hostility to Israel. During his inaugural speech in January, Obama said his administration would reach out to former enemies, saying "we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
However, Khamenei exhibited little will to bend, using his speech to outline a long list of grievances against the United States, including U.S. sanctions against Iran, U.S. support for Saddam Hussein during his 1980-88 war against Iran and the downing of an Iranian airliner over the Persian Gulf in 1988.
"Have you released Iranian assets? Have you lifted oppressive sanctions? Have you given up mudslinging and making accusations against the great Iranian nation and its officials? Have you given up your unconditional support for the Zionist regime? Even the language remains unchanged," Khamenei said.
As he spoke, the crowd chanted "Death to America."
With files from The Associated Press
