In an article, U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook asserted that "Iran's ruling theocracy is best known for oppression, corruption and mismanagement at home, and ghastly sectarian warfare abroad", adding that "a combination of the regime's own financial mismanagement and strong American sanctions is clearly straining Iran's allies". "America stands ready to engage an Iranian government with mutual respect, in pursuit of mutual interests", Hook continued, "but in order to make this opening possible... the regime must first decide that it wants to be a normal country and not a revolutionary cause". "While it is ultimately up to the Iranian people to determine the direction of their country", he added, "the U.S., in the spirit of our own freedoms, will support the long-ignored voice of the Iranian people".