U.S. Interests Section to be Opened in Iran

Article 15 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

LONDON (Reuters) - The United States will announce in the next month that it plans to establish a diplomatic presence in Tehran for the first time in 30 years, a British newspaper said on Thursday.

In a front-page report, the Guardian said Washington would open a U.S. interests section in the Iranian capital, halfway towards opening an embassy.

The unsourced report by the newspaper's Washington correspondent said: "The Guardian has learned that an announcement will be made in the next month to establish a U.S. interests section in Tehran, a halfway house to setting up a full embassy.

"The move will see US diplomats stationed in the country."

Senior U.S. diplomat William Burns said in testimony to Congress last week the United States was looking to opening up an interest section in Tehran but had not made a decision yet.

The Guardian said the development was "a remarkable turnaround in policy by President George Bush who has pursued a hawkish approach to Iran throughout his time in office."

U.S. to establish presence in Tehran: report - Yahoo! News

Hopefully this gets the ball rolling towards a peaceful solution. We've got a lot of lost time to make up from when we weren't "negotiating with terrorists and those who harbor them."

Epsilon Delta · #2 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 07:10 AM

Surprise, surprise, the Bush Administration got tired of the saber-rattling after a good half decade. It didn't have a good run; they're probably doing the right thing.

Who woulda thunk?

Tech_Esq · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 09:50 AM

Wasn't this reported last week? Anyway, if, in the end, it prevents a nuclear armed Iran and war, then it's a good move.

Charles_Main · #4 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tech_Esq

Wasn't this reported last week? Anyway, if, in the end, it prevents a nuclear armed Iran and war, then it's a good move.

While I agree, I think that is a big IF

Paulitics · #5 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 03:18 PM

If it's true, it probably means that no bombing is on the schedule anytime soon.

That's definitely a good thing.

editec · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 04:23 PM

I'm reading Legacy of Ashes by Tim Weiner, right now.

His retelling of the CIA's successful overthrow of Mossadeq is truly fascinating.

All it took was millions of dollars in bribes, really.

We really ought to buy more allies that way.

It's certainly cheaper than bombing them into being our friends.