( CNN ) -- In a message to the Iranian people , an upbeat President Barack Obama said Thursday that the long isolated Middle East nation can soon improve its economy , its world standing and its people 's lives if there 's a breakthrough nuclear deal . `` For the first time in many years , we have the opportunity to start down a new path , '' Obama said in a message timed for Nowruz , the Persian new year . A lot has changed since the last Nowruz . For one , Iranians elected Hassan Rouhani -- who campaigned , in part , on opening up Iran more to the world including negotiations on its nuclear program -- as president last summer . Significant changes in Tehran 's approach followed , leading to an interim agreement in November involving Iran and the so-called P5+1 -- the United States , China , Russia , Britain , France and Germany . The deal called for Iran to roll back parts of its nuclear program in return for relief from some sanctions . That agreement went into effect in January . The challenge now is to reach a permanent deal acceptable to all sides . Obama said Thursday that `` a comprehensive agreement ... this year can help open up new possibilities and prosperity for the Iranian people for years to come . '' That includes more open trade , more jobs and `` more opportunities for Iranian students , '' according to the President . Noting the progress that has been made , Obama stressed that `` this will be difficult . '' At the same time , he insisted the United States is ready to talk . `` I 'm committed to diplomacy , '' the President said , `` because I believe there is the basis for a practical solution . ''
Obama says he 's `` committed to diplomacy '' with Iran . " The US has been trying for years to get the Iranians back on board, but they have always refused. Iran has been isolated internationally over its nuclear program . An interim deal was reached last fall ; talks are under way for a bigger agreement .