Obama views on Iran 'different' than Israel: official report

(TEHRAN) - An Iranian intelligence ministry report has said the Obama administration has "completely different" views on Iran than its ally Israel and more flexible ones than the European Union, breaking from the usual official rhetoric.

The report, quoted by media on Thursday and posted on the ministry's newly launched website vaja.ir, was prepared before US President Barack Obama's re-election victory Tuesday over rival Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

"The Republican party has a more severe confrontational approach towards Iran... and its proposed policies are close to those of the Zionist (Israel) regime," the report said.

Obama's "Democratic party's position is completely different" on Iran, it added.

The analysis contradicts the rhetoric of Iranian leaders and media who daily denounced Obama during his first term, accusing him of aligning his policies to those of Israel in a bid to weaken the Islamic republic.

"Although Democrats have not hesitated in implementing hostile policies against the Iranian nation and repeatedly say that 'all options are on the table,' they have pinned their hope on diplomacy," the report said.

Obama has rallied US allies against Iran, toughening sanctions, with Tehran's oil exports and access to world financial systems being key targets.

The United States and other world powers, including Tehran's arch-enemy Israel, accuse Iran of using its nuclear programme to mask a drive for atomic weapons. Tehran denies that, saying it is for purely peaceful purposes.

The report also underlined an "open confrontation" between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Iran.

Although Netanyahu has exerted "immense pressure" on Obama to adopt a firmer stance on Iran, the report said, "the policies of the Obama administration are different from those of the Zionist regime."

The analysis also argues that the Obama administration has a more moderate approach on sanctions against Tehran than European countries.

"Although Americans have themselves imposed expansive sanctions against Iran, they are still trailing the Europeans in this regard," it said.

Iran has also signalled it may be open to hold dialogue with the "Great Satan," its epithet for the United States, following the re-election of Obama.