WASHINGTON, May 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited an exhibit of Iranian artists here on Thursday and said it showed Iran's "great culture."

    "They are representing so well the great culture that Iran has, the great culture that goes back for so many centuries," Rice said after visiting the exhibit.

    "The American people can see another side of Iran and see what the artists of Iran are doing," she said.

    The exhibit, called "Wishes and Dreams: Iran's New Generation Emerges," is partly sponsored by the State Department and displays works of Iranian artists.

    The United States has accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear programs. Iran has repeatedly denied the charges.

    Despite the tension between the two governments, Washington claims that it has no problem in having people-to-people, cultural exchanges with Tehran.

    The United States has severed diplomatic ties with Iran since 1980, five months after Iranian students occupied the American embassy in Tehran. Fifty-two Americans were held hostage for 444 days.