奥巴马开启首任任期时就曾承诺要与伊朗伊斯兰共和国保持接触；这一点在2009年他首次令人难忘的就职演说中就曾有记录 ， “ 如果你们愿意松开双拳，我们就将伸出援手。
Obama began his first administration with an offer to engage with the Islamic Republic; as he memorably put it in his first inaugural address in 2009, “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”