Obama: Iran Diplomacy Possible Within Months

At his prime time press conference tonight, President Obama said that "in the coming months, we will be looking for openings that can be created where we can start sitting across the table face to face" with Iran.

"There's been a lot of mistrust built up over the years, so it's not going to happen overnight," said the president.

He stressed, however, that the administration has deep concerns about Iranian policy, noting that the country's "actions over many years now have been unhelpful when it comes to promoting peace and prosperity."

President Obama cited Iran's support for Hezbollah and Hamas, its "bellicose" language toward Israel, and its pursuit of a nuclear weapon.

The president said the U.S. must use all of the tools at its disposal in dealing with Iran, and that "includes diplomacy."

He said Iran must understand that the U.S. finds Iranian actions such as funding of terrorist groups unacceptable.

But he added that "there's a possibility, at least, of a relationship of mutual respect and progress."