Pres. Obama has been waging what you might call a "respect offensive" toward Islam in general and Iran in particular.

I'll admit that until I read a press release from the White House last night, I had never heard of Nowruz, which is the traditional Iranian/Persian celebration of the new year. And it's today.

Obama recorded a video message, to all Nowruz celebrants. But the bulk of the message is addressed to Iranians, filled with professions of respect for the great history of Persian civilization. And much of it is directed explicitly at the leaders of Iran, describing his hope for improved U.S.-Iranian relations, coupled with some tough talk (though not very explicit, and not tough enough for some, I'm sure) about what Iran must do to achieve an improved relationship with us.

Here's a taste:

So in this season of new beginnings I would like to speak clearly to Iran's leaders.  We have serious differences that have grown over time.  My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community.  This process will not be advanced by threats.  We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect.

You, too, have a choice.  The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations.  You have that right -- but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization.  And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create.

So on the occasion of your New Year, I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek.  It's a future with renewed exchanges among our people, and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce.  It's a future where the old divisions are overcome, where you and all of your neighbors and the wider world can live in greater security and greater peace.

I know that this won't be reached easily.  There are those who insist that we be defined by our differences.  But let us remember the words that were written by the poet Saadi, so many years ago:  "The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence."

It's late and I must be letting my cynicism guard down. I have no idea whether Iranians will have a chance to watch the video (it comes with Persian subtitles). And I certainly have no illusion that President Ahmadinejad or Ayatollah Khamenei will change their thinking because of a three-minute video. But I'm just dotty enough to wonder whether consistent professions of respect toward a people and a government that have felt disrespected by the world's only superpower might do a little good. Who knows?

If you can spare three minutes to wonder for yourself, the video is here.

p.s. I was thinking there was no way former Pres. Bush would have issued Nowruz greetings. But I googled, and I was wrong. The Bush Nowruz messages were of a different tone, some years more focused on Iranian-Americans, some years coupled with a Voice Of America Persian news service interview blaming the Iranian leaders for making life worse for their people. But hey.