To everyone celebrating Nowruz across the

United States and in countries around the

world, Nowruz Mubarak.

For thousands of years, this has been a time to

gather with family and friends and welcome a new

spring and a new year.

Last week, my wife, Michelle, helped

mark Nowruz here at the White House.

It was a celebration of the vibrant cultures,

food, music, and friendship of our many

diaspora communities who make extraordinary

contributions every day here in the United States.

We've even created our own hopsin, representing

our hopes for the new year.

This year, that includes our hopes for progress

between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the

international community, including the United States.

So, I want to take this opportunity, once again,

to speak directly to the people and leaders of Iran.

As you gather around the Nowruz table, from Tehran

to Shiraz to Tabriz, from the coasts of the

Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf, you're giving thanks

for your blessings and looking ahead to the future.

This year, we have the best opportunity

in decades to pursue a different future

between our countries.

Just over a year ago, we reached an initial

understanding regarding Iran's nuclear program,

and both sides have kept our commitments.

Iran has halted progress on its nuclear program

and even rolled it back in some areas.

The international community, including

the United States, has provided Iran with some

relief some from sanctions.

Now, our diplomats and our scientists are engaged

in negotiations in the hopes of finding a comprehensive

solution that resolves the world's concerns

with Iran's nuclear program.

The days and weeks ahead will be critical.

Our negotiations have made progress, but gaps remain.

And there are people in both our countries and

beyond who oppose a diplomatic resolution.

My message to you, the people of Iran, is that

together we have to speak up for the future we seek.

As I've said many times before, I believe that our

countries should be able to resolve this issue

peacefully with diplomacy.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, has

issued a fatwa against the development of nuclear

weapons, and President Rouhani has said that Iran

would never develop a nuclear weapon.

Together with the international community,

the United States has said that Iran should have

access to peaceful nuclear energy, consistent with

Iran's international obligations.

So, there is a way for Iran, if it is willing

to take meaningful, verifiable steps,

to assure the world that its nuclear program is,

in fact, for peaceful purposes only.

In this sense, Iran's leaders have a choice

between two paths.

If they cannot agree to a reasonable deal, they will

keep Iran on the path it's on today, a path that has

isolated Iran and the Iranian people from

so much of the world, caused so much hardship for

Iranian families, and deprived so many young

Iranians the jobs and opportunities they deserve.

On the other hand, if Iran's leaders can agree

to a reasonable deal, it can lead to a better path,

the path of greater opportunities for the

Iranian people, more trade and ties with the world,

more foreign investment and jobs, including for

young Iranians, more cultural exchanges and

chances for Iranian students to travel abroad,

more partnerships in areas like science and

technology and innovation.

In other words, a nuclear deal now can help open the

door to a brighter future for you, the Iranian

people who, as heirs to a great civilization, have

so much to give the world.

This is what's at stake today, and this moment

may not come again soon.

I believe that our nations have a historic

opportunity to resolve this issue peacefully,

an opportunity we should not miss.

As the poet Hafez wrote, "It is early spring.

Try to be joyful in your heart for many a flower

will bloom while you will be in clay."

For decades, our nations have been separated by

mistrust and fear.

Now, it is early spring.

We have a chance, a chance to make progress that will

benefit our countries and the world for

many years to come.

Now, it's up to all of us, Iranians and Americans,

to seize this moment and the possibilities that

can bloom in this new season.

Thank you and Nowruz athan pirooz.