• We have been waiting for years for the Americans to re-engage in the Iranian issue. – French President Nicolas Sarkozy who described Obama's speech as “good news.” • I hope very much that the Iranians will take good attention of what has been said by President Obama. I hope very much that Tehran will act intelligently. – EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana who voiced hope that Obama's message would mark the start of a “new chapter” in relations between Washington and Tehran. • The next step will be seen in The Hague. – Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, hoping that Tehran will send Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to an international conference on Afghanistan at the month-end, which Iran has been invited to attend by the US, “because Iran has great influence over Afghanistan and can help, namely in the fight against drug traffickers.” • The start of substantive dialogue will facilitate the revival of trust in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said. • Although it is a timid overture, it is a good beginning, particularly for Lebanon. – Ousama Safa, director of the Lebanese center for policy studies, referring to Iranian support for the Shi'ite movement Hezbollah. • This is somehow conflicting and making people here confused. – Mohammad Hassan Khani, assistant professor of international relations at Tehran's Imam Sadiq University, noting that only last week the US extended economic sanctions on Iran. • It is not enough. They should have taken more brave steps towards better ties with Iran,” such as easing the sanctions. – Saeed Laylaz, editor of Iran's Sarmayeh business daily.
