The American people have great respect for the people of Iran and their rich history ... The world continues to bear witness to their powerful calls for justice and their courageous pursuit of universal rights.
This event helped set the United States and Iran on a path of sustained suspicion, mistrust and confrontation ... I have made it clear that the United States of America wants to move beyond this past, and seeks a relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran based upon mutual interests and mutual respe...
deeply affected the lives of courageous Americans who were unjustly held hostage, and we owe these Americans and their families our gratitude for their extraordinary service and sacrifice