Obama: Policy on Iran to be different

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- All resources at the United States' disposal were on the table when deciding what the approach to Iran should be, President Barack Obama said Monday.

"And so my national security team is currently reviewing our existing Iran policy, looking at areas where we can have constructive dialogue, where we can directly engage with them," Obama said during his first prime-time news conference, less than a month into his presidency.

He said it is important to let the Iranian government knows its actions "have been unhelpful when it comes to promoting peace and prosperity both in the region and around the world."

Obama said he expected his administration would be "looking for openings" through which the two countries can start "face-to-face diplomatic overtures." A diplomatic thaw won't occur overnight because of the mistrust that has built up over the years, he said.

Even as the White House engages in direct diplomacy, Obama said "we are very clear about certain deep concerns that we have as a country, that Iran understands that we find the funding of terrorist organizations unacceptable, that we're clear about the fact that a nuclear Iran could set off a nuclear arms race in the region that would be profoundly destabilizing."

Obama said steps such as designating former Senate majority Leader George Mitchell, D-Maine, as his special envoy to the Middle east gives an indication of what his administration wants to do differently in the region.

"Now it's time for Iran to send some signals that it wants to act differently, as well," he said.