Iran urges changes in U.S. policy to reduce differences: FM

TEHRAN, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Wednesday called for the U.S. change of policy on Iran, the official IRNA news agency reported.

"Adopting a correct and rational change in U.S. policy can help resolve many differences," Mottaki was quoted as saying.

Reducing the differences of views (of both states) might help resolve the problems if it is backed by the U.S. firm determination, Mottaki told a press conference.

He said Iran gives priority to the promises made by U.S. officials in the past year on change of the country's policies which can create a new atmosphere, according to the report.

"The U.S. change of policies could create a new atmosphere in regional and global developments."

For Iranians, meaningful changes of U.S. policy include distancing itself from Israel, lifting long-run sanctions on Iran, ending its support to Iran's opposition groups, drawing its troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan and stopping the pursue of Tehran's nuclear case as the country insists that its program is aimed at peaceful ends.

Iranian delegation and their U.S. counterparts held the direct meeting on the sidelines of Geneva talks on Oct. 1 to discuss Iran's nuclear issue. It followed the U.S. President Barack Obama's policy of engaging Iran rather than isolating it after he took the office.

However, Iranians see that the United States both threatens and extends hand for friendship, which does not bring "practical and actual" changes in the policies of the White House towards Iran.