The United States and Iran were political and cultural allies until the post-World War II era. But Washington broke relations with Tehran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the hostage crisis at the U.S. embassy.
Relations deteriorated over Iran’s alleged meddling in Iraq and its nuclear program, which the U.S. suspects is aimed at developing atomic arms -- charges Tehran strongly denies.
The recent U.S. arrest of Iranian officials in Iraq, and the detention of three Iranian-American dual citizens in Tehran have further strained relations.
Despite rising tensions, both countries expressed willingness to expand cultural, educational and sports exchanges.
The U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice officially opened an Iranian art exhibition in Washington on Thursday; an event the State Department said was aimed at promoting cultural ties with Iran.
"The important thing here is the symbolism of the American secretary of state reaching out and demonstrating for the Iranian people an appreciation for products of Iranian culture," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
"This is a great culture… It's a great country. And we shouldn't let any of the policy differences between the United States and this Iranian government get in the way of these kinds of exchanges,” he added.
The exhibition, which runs until 29 July and shows the works of 30 Iranian artists aged between 22 and 40, is entitled "Wishes and Dreams: Iran's New Generation Emerges." It’s being held in conjunction with Tehran University Art Gallery, and will tour several American states to give the Americans a chance to taste artistic works from Tehran.
Stuart Holliday, president of the Washington-based Meridian International Center, which organized the exhibition, said the event “would help U.S. citizens better understand the Iranian people and appreciate the many interests we share.”
Speaking at the opening, Rice referred to the event as "a great day", saying that art is the “the language of peoples who need to know each other and understand each other".
"I have so enjoyed seeing the work of these great artists…They are representing so well the great culture that Iran has, the great culture that goes back for so many centuries but that is being brought here today so that the American people can see another side of Iran."
The exhibition is part of a cultural exchange program between the two nations. Last month, the U.S. state department invited Iranian wrestlers to train in the U.S. ahead of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The American wrestling squad had previously traveled to Iran, where it was given a warm welcome by the people and the officials.
Bahar Behbahani, a modernist artist among 14 others who traveled to the U.S. to promote the exhibition, told the BBC: ''Nowadays, the media are stereotyping Iranians but this exhibition will show the Americans that Iranian artists are part of the world and their message is that of peace.''
Another artist, Rashin Kheiriyeh, said she considered the event a good opportunity for both Americans and Iranians. ''Now that cultural exchanges are on the rise, political ties may follow suit and move towards improvement.''
Asked whether the exhibition could help improve U.S.-Iran ties, Mitra Kavian said: “I hope so. I don't like war, I like peace everywhere."
"I am an artist, and if I can do anything for the peace of the world, that’s something I would be proud of.”
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