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Opening A Door In Tehran?

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A U.S.-interests section in Tehran would be comprised of a small team of American diplomats working from an office inside the Swiss Embassy. Such an office—similar to, but probably smaller than, the one the State Department maintains in Havana—would expand diplomatic contacts between the United States and Iran. But it would not constitute the re-establishment of full U.S. diplomatic relations between the two countries, ruptured when a mob of radicalized Iranian "students" invaded the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held dozens of U.S. personnel hostage for more than a year. Iran already maintains a small interests section based in Pakistan's embassy in Washington, as well as a fully accredited diplomatic mission to the United Nations in New York.

Arguments in favor of re-opening a U.S. diplomatic mission in Tehran, however limited its purview, have been advanced both by liberal proponents of greater U.S. diplomatic engagement with Iran's theocratic regime and by some conservative hard-liners advocating confrontation with Iran. One conservative argument in favor of the idea is that it would demonstrate to the world that the United States, which under the Bush administration has spent much energy bashing Iran but little on diplomacy, is going the extra mile to try to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions.

If such U.S. diplomacy fails, the conservative argument goes, then the world (and the American public) might be more inclined to take more dramatic action to quash Iran's nuclear program—such as a bombing attack. Moderate and liberal advocates of a wider U.S. diplomatic opening to Tehran argue the only sensible way forward is through diplomacy.

U.S. officials said the diplomatic thaw would have other benefits. A visible American presence in Tehran could help ease relations by making it easier for Iranians to obtain travel visas to the United States. Cultural "outreach" programs could dispel myths and suspicion about the United States. At the same time, it would also give U.S. officials a greater ability to monitor what is happening on the ground in Iran.

Terror Watch appears weekly on Newsweek.com.

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Posted By: John in Moapa @ 12/16/2008 3:00:24 PM

The first words the embassy people will learn in Farzi will be "Hands up infidels."
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Posted By: Bestglenn @ 11/21/2008 8:08:56 AM

Exactly what specific terrorist act has Iran committed? Name one. and if you think that taking the embassy was a terrorist act. I guess that you don't recall that the Shah was in the US and we would not extradite him for prosecution. Read our history about the 1953 US overthrow of their western educated democratically elected president where we installed the Shah into power and he murdered and pillaged the Iranian people for 30 years. Hey they are some real terrorists and we are "good" people. The Persian (Iranian) culture was in existence long before Europeans developed the ability to write. Have some respect. No one appointed us to perpetuate our beliefs onto the rest of the world. Of course the Iranians have a right to nuclear weapons. We also have the right to counterattack if we are attacked. No brainer. Hitler was Hitler. United States is United States. Iran is Iran. don't get confused. PS; ABC and the LA Times are "for profit commercial enterprises" not news providers. Did Brittany wear any panties today? Think.
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Posted By: Mwalimu @ 11/11/2008 7:29:32 PM

Has any one read recent reports from Iran filed on ABC News and in the LA Times?. Achmadinejad is in serious trouble. Iran's economy is collapsing. Inflation and unemployment are rampant and out of control. I read reports that last year gasoline riots erupted. The collapsing price of oil is creating economic havoc in Iran. The Iranian government has three choices. It can continue to go nuclear creating a larger national debt and more inflation, or it can cut back on social programs which buy votes. In addition elections are slated for June of 2009, and if you were to run an opinion poll right now, Obama might be a lot more popular than Achmadinejad, especially among the young. A regime that alienates its young cannot survive.

Remember, Obama's funny name? Well, Hussein happens to be the name of a greatly revered religous leader. It also means good and handsome. Barack means blessing. Think of how Obama's name resounds in Iran.

I think Obama should take his time talking to Iran. Obama has proven himself already to be cautious. In addition, one of my former students called him Barack O'BALLA. How might Obama's knowledge of basketball relate to Iran when the Iranian government is in it's last 6 months and Obama has control of the ball (and a lead in the score.)?

If we really want to "bomb" Iran, let's use a smart bomb. First we need to cut down our consumption of gasoline any way we can. The lower the price of oil, the more problems for Iran. Then we need to launch Project Apollo and other green technology plans IMMEDIATELY. Consider them national defense. A prudent man, Obama will probably wait and consult experts before determining when to answer Iran's letter. He might decide to wait until after the Iranian elections. He'll probably have a lot of other concerns before then.

If we are at all intelligent, we'll recognize that we already have slammed the Iranian regime of mullash with a couple of lethal blows. Let's play it smart.