The U.S. President made similar comments a month earlier in Prague when he stated that Iran had a right to the peaceful pursuit of nuclear energy if they were willing to prove that the program was for energy and not nuclear weapons.

President Obama also made strong statements that sanctions against Iran would continue and increase if they do not work with the U.S. in negotiating the Iranian nuclear program. Obama gave Iran until the end of 2009 to demonstrate its peaceful intentions. Obama recognized that the time line is less important than the actions and made it clear that all actions by Iran will be included in the review of their policies towards a nuclear program. The President went on to say that he wants open dialogue and wishes to work with the Muslims of the world.

The President showed a positive outlook when speaking about progress in defusing the Israeli and Palestinian dispute. He stopped short of giving specific details concerning his ideas for freezing the development of settlements in Israel. Israeli leadership has dismissed the proposal.

Obama indicated that he believed that the ideals of the democratic nations could be embraced by all countries and that there should remain a mutual respect by everyone. He finished by saying that the U.S. needs to not impose our values on countries that have different views.