TEHRAN – On Tuesday, the Mehr News Agency talked to some MPs and political analysts to learn their views on the letter that President Mahmud Ahmadinejad wrote to his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush.

In the letter, written in English and sent on Monday, Ahmadinejad proposed a return to religious principles as a means of restoring confidence.

Political analyst Mahdi Motahharnia said that Ahmadinejad’s letter will help create a more open atmosphere in international relations so that the world realizes that Iran seeks to enter the new world order.

Although the letter was late, but it was a positive step, he stated, adding that writing such a letter is considered to be a wise and rational initiative in the international arena.

He described the letter as a turning point in the stalled Iran-U.S. relations.

The letter is the first from an Iranian leader to a U.S. president for more than a quarter of a century.

MP Hossein Sheikholeslam said that Ahmadinejad showed that he favors negotiation and interaction with the world.

International affairs analyst Ali-Reza Davari opined that the letter shows Iran is seeking peace and respects the international community.

“On the other hand, it will thwart the U.S. efforts to portray Iran as a threat to world peace,” he added.

The Americans cannot reach a conclusion on the political structure of the region without taking Iran’s role into consideration, therefore they must be flexible and give a positive response to it, the academic commented.

"Will you not accept this invitation?" asks Ahmadinejad in the letter according to AFP.

"That is, a genuine return to the teachings of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to preserve human dignity and obedience to the Almighty and His prophets?" read part of the letter.

Majlis deputy Hossein Sobhaninia said that the letter can act as a positive initiative to enlighten the world public opinion about Iran.

“This can help Iran clarify its position in the world and countries like Russia and China can defend Iran’s actions in a better climate,” he observed, referring to the U.S. harsh stance toward Iran’s nuclear program which has faced a resistance by Russia and China.

However, parliamentarian Ghodratollah Alikhani expressed doubt that Ahmadinejad’s letter can be influential in Iran-U.S. relations. Political analyst Amir Mohebbian said, “Although Ahmadinejad’s initiative can have strategic consequences, its main aim was to give an ultimatum.”

“From the published parts of the letter I can say that Mr. Ahmadinejad actually wanted to use the opportunity to explain Iran’s views and there was nothing to show a new strategy on the part of Iran,” he pointed out.