IntroductionFor the first time in over thirty years, tensions began to ease between the United States and Iran. The change of presidency in both countries was accompanied by a change in the nature and tone of their respective discourse, and with it the opportunity for negotiations that could lead to the deconfinement of Iran. Once the preeminent power in the Middle East, Iran has been subjugated over the past three decades by major powers who wish to contain it and smaller regional powers who wish to maintain its subordinate influence. This new turn towards diplomacy has the potential to allow Iran to once again become a leading position in the region. How today's dominant players respond to Iran's rise will largely define the temperature in the Middle East for years to come. American foreign policy towards Iran Bush against Obama Barely more than twelve minutes into his presidency, Barak Obama reached out to the Americans. friendship with Iran with the hope that Tehran would “unclench its fist” (Parsi, 2012, p. 8). Three months later, he followed up with an unprecedented video message addressing the Iranian government and citizens. The overtures and content of his messages represented a radical departure from the neoconservative policies and coldness of the Bush administration. Moreover, Barak Obama's very personality made it difficult for the Iranian people to summarily dismiss his outreach efforts or slander him as they did President Bush. From his ethnicity to his middle name, he defied the stereotype of the American imperialist leader (Parsi, 2012). Curious but hesitant to trust, people across the Middle East cautiously waited for Obama to back up his promising rhetoric with concrete actions (Gerges, 2013). The previous...... middle of the newspaper ......ashingtonpost. com/2013-06-15/world/39983644_1_iranians-vote-final-results Rezainan, Jason. (2013, December 5). “Iran seeks to improve its relations with Arab states. » The Washington Post. Sardora, Mohammed Reza. (April 16, 2013). “Iran’s military-electoral quagmire.” Srseh Sevom. Retrieved from: http://www.arsehsevom.net/2013/04/iran-quagmire/Sly, Liz. (December 3, 2013). “After the Iran deal, increase in diplomacy and violence.” The Washington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iran-accord-in-geneva-followed-by-new-violence-new-diplomacy-for-mideast/2013/12/03/90131e76-5b91-11e3 -801f-1f90bf692c9b_story.htmlWhite House. (November 24, 2013). Statement by the President on a First-Step Agreement on Iran's Nuclear Program. Retrieved from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2013/11/24/president-obama-makes-statement-iran#transcript