US to Iran: Let's Get Back Together

Having surrounded Iran with war and terrorist hunts -- confer Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Georgia -- the United States is openly admitting what its actions admitted long ago: America really wants Iran back in its life.

This week, the Bush administration -- the same one that's been threatening Iran for several years now -- let slip that shortly after America picks its next President a formal announcement will be made that the United States intends to open an "interests section" in Tehran.

For the first time in nearly 30 years, the US embassy in Tehran might actually have occupants other than Revolutionary Guards and getting wasted in its corridors. Yes, the doors may be opening to a new generation of American diplomats getting wasted in its corridors.

This story was barely covered by the US media and so, even as Republican Presidential candidate John McCain plows ahead with his Iran-is-the-enemy bulldozer, the American public has been left mostly oblivious to what is arguably one of the biggest milestones in US-Iran relations since the revolution itself. For Americans, the US embassy in Tehran was last known as the reason Ronald Reagan beat Jimmy Carter out of the presidency.

The US embassy in Tehran technically closed its doors on November 4th, 1979 when the infamous hostage crisis began. But it wasn't until January 20, 1981, just minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th President of the United States - when the 52 American hostages were released from their embassy prison after 444 days of incarceration - that the embassy officially ceased to be associated with Americans.

But before all this, Tehran was one of the most popular US embassies for American diplomats being posted abroad. The facilities were grand (the embassy covers an area of several city blocks), the country and its people were welcoming and abundant in charm and most of all, Iran and the US were really good buddies. The unfortunate blemish of the embassy's significant role in discarding Iran's popular and democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953 was old news just before 1979 rolled around and Americans realized that a whole bunch of Iranians just didn't forget what Kermit Roosevelt and the US government did to them.

Even today, the embassy is a constant reminder to Iranians of the extravagant presence of the United States in their country. Its size is only diminished by the even bigger (and still operating) embassy of the United Kingdom. Though it's portrayed as a ghost town and its walls have been painted over with shadowy skeletal Statue of Liberty guises and other spooky threats of US hegemony, the embassy is not haunted with absence. For many years now, it has been a sort of convention center and party house where members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards or even members of its government tend to hold conferences, banquets and other fun get togethers. As before, when the Embassy was in full force, the entrants to its bounties are limited to a select group of individuals who do not represent the majority of Iranians, their attitudes and their beliefs.

The irony of all this - that the hawkish Bush administration is the one American administration in nearly 30 years that is re-opening a base in Tehran - cannot be escaped. This is the administration - more than any since the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran in January 1979 - that has threatened, sanctioned, and aggressed against Iran. Even more ironic: they are doing exactly what their opponent, Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama has been saying for months: diplomacy with Iran is better than war.

Like an ex-girlfriend, the Bush administration has been stalking Iran for awhile now. The regional conflicts and tensions that the US is leading in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and Georgia are all in nations contiguous with or neighboring Iran. In 2006, the US moved into Iran's neighborhood with the establishment of the Iran Regional Presence Office in the. It was only a matter of time before the US just upped the ante and decided to move right back in with Iran itself.

Of course, as with many Bush administration announcements, this one also contains an element of dishonesty. This is not the first time that the Bush administration has reached out to Iran. Bush & Co. have been engaged in diplomatic negotiations and meetings with Iran for several years now, not least because they desperately require Iran's help with the not-so-little problem of Iraq. In some ways, the "interests section" of the United States in Tehran is not just a declaration of improved relations but a reminder to Iran that even though they broke up years ago, they've got to at least feign friendship because there's just too much history there.

Mostly though, the US really needs Iran right now: the War on Terror is rather shaping up as a shambles and Iran remains the only stable force in the region that can bring about any resolution to the rapidly deteriorating problems faced by the US. Iran already has a massive presence in Eastern Iraq and is in a position to expand that influence further. In addition, its deep cultural and religious influence on its neighbors makes it a critical strategic power in these conflicts.

For the Iranian public, the Bush administration announcement will generally be looked upon favorably: Iranians have always had a soft spot for Americans, especially in comparison to the British who are regarded as plotters in Iranian folklore. American cultural imports are an obvious element of Iranian lives - as they are in most of the world. But more than anything, Iranians still sincerely regard the United States as a unique opportunity to realize dreams.

This week, it seems, the United States admitted that it believes the same of Iran.

Comments

[DC]

"America really wants Iran back in its life." Israel will not allow that to happen. It is not in their interest and surely to be perceived as a threat. There will be more propaganda in the US to make sure it does not happen. Sorry.

[heckleNjeckle]

For our sake, Iran should be our closest ally in western Asia, bar none.

[joebhed]

WOW, excellent post.
The timing probably has more to do with the coming election in Israel than it does with anything going on between the US and Iran.
It does give the US an eye and ear in Tehran.
But it is above all, a potentially stabilizing effect on the overall insecurity in the Middle East.
Of course, that will take an Obama administration.
GWB has said they plan a helpful transition to the incoming executive.
This is one area where cooperation and assistance are really critical.
Let's get back together.

[peterg76]

Just take everything McCain says about Iran and assume it's untrue.

[KoolBreez]

I am yet to see US media report the fact that US overthrew a democratically elected governement in Iran and that is what started it all..

When we go back to the region to "spread democracy", the Iranians know we are lying and ignorant Perinos have no idea where the disconnect is..

[dlinguist]

It is amazing to me sometimes how historically shortsighted some Americans can be. The ouster of Mossadegh, the formation and training of the SAVAK, the Shah's secret police, the arming of Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces in the Gulf War (1980-1988) are all examples of why the Iranians should fear and mistrust the US. Nevetheless, the Iranian people as a whole, still have a remarkable afinity for Americans. This I know from personal experience (lived two years in Iran) and from subsequent information from recent expatriates.

I don't see why we cannot look to find that commonality through diplomacy and allow for the better natures of both peoples to show. No carrot stick simplifications, no posturing and sabre rattling, no long ago discredited realpolitik. And most of all, no religious black and white, end-of-times, new crusade sentimentality that has no place in the 21st century. Bush, you hear me?

[1differentdrummer]

Absolutely.

[Gdebs]

If I was the new American President I would apologise to the Iranian people for our past behavior and offer to create a new period of warm and friendly relations.

[Lazslo]

Wow, someone who actually knows about our historical relationship with Iran. Agreed.

[Scarlet]

I'll second this. An apology from the US is in order.

[MagisterLudi]

As if the mullahs running Iran gives a flying fig about the Iranian democratic government in the 50s.
This is cynical nonsense. As any other dictatorship, mismanaging the country and oppresses its people, a bete noir or two or hundred must be manufactured. US is the most convenient one. Salman Rushdie is a nice one too. As well as Christians, Jews, atheists, Buddhists, Taoist, feminists, gays, rockers, punks, jazz payers, writers, hair stylists etc. The list of enemies is growing ever longer.
But Iranian theocracy will fall of its own weight. Hopefully Iranian people will follow the Indian democratic model, and not Pakistani.

[wiseapple]

Unfortunately, this kind of thinking is probably considered un-American these days by way too many people living in this country.

[kyllroy]

On the other side, there are some who portend that it is in the best interest of the most radical in Iran to create enough fear and posturing to egg on Israel and thus the United States into another first strike mistake, which would further erode the peace process in the middle east.

The last thing these elements want is a stability there. The west is searching and finding alternative energy sources at an accelerated rate and will find independence in this field more rapidly than the unbridled population growth rates of most of these oil rich countries. If they cannot export this excess they will lose a base of power they enjoy at present.

Middle eastern immigrants are in the process of taking over Germany and many other low population growth countries by birthrate alone. When the indigenous professionals decide on having one child, they have effectively reduced the country in two generations by 50%.

New policies by the next Obama/Biden team and Democratic majority in the Congress need to consider the stranglehold the radical element has within Iran on the future of any forward thinking moderates within their own borders and know who they are really talking to when diplomacy restarts.

[MagisterLudi]

"The irony of all this - that the hawkish Bush administration is the one American administration in nearly 30 years that is re-opening a base in Tehran - cannot be escaped."

This is realpolitik. You put serious pressure on a government of your (self-declared) enemy and then ease off on them to negotiate. I fail to see any irony there. This has been done since time immemorial.

RECENT statements from the TRUE ruler of Iran:
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that hatred of Washington was deep-seated in Iran. "This conflict goes far beyond having differences over a few political issues. Khamenei also praised the "great move of students... to take over the centre of espionage." ( eh, this fanatic is referring to taking American diplomats hostage).
Nice guy this Supreme Leader.
So much for Iranian diplomacy.

[Lazslo]

What serious pressure? There is no dialog and no relationship currently. What "serious pressure" do you speak of - the neo-cons barking at the moon about the evil Iran? Grandpa McCain spouting off on the campaign trail? That's not serious pressure, it's serious delusion. Oh and by the way, Iran has strengthened it's ties and trade to other countries such as Russia and China which are hurting the U.S. The only serious pressure being applied is the international community reacting (accordingly) to the U.S.'s isolated, imperialist ways.

What's the source of the statement from the ruler of Iran? Fox News?

In 1953 the U.S. CIA overthrew the government in Iran and set up the tyrant known as the Shah of Iran. So much for U.S. diplomacy.

[jacklambert]

Quite right! The World moves on. American 'influence' is no more.
Welcome to the new Banana Republic. The only folks that can't see themselves as 'third world' are Americans!
Too busy listening to Limbaugh for info or reading the 'Corporate' press??

[ObamaSheeple]

Lazslo, you are being naive. They are under pressure and you know it. I do not believe it is right or even necessary, but it is there none the less.

We missed a really great opportunity to heal the past and move forward productively after the invasion of Afghanistan and Iran's help in accomplishing it, but the current idiot-in-chief never disappoints.

I hope the new POTUS accomplishes much more with Iran so both countries can move forward in a positive manner.

[MagisterLudi]

What's the source of the statement from the ruler of Iran? Fox News?
OK bosmek,
Iran's Khamenei sees no easing of hatred for US
http://www.metimes.com/Politics/2008/10/29/irans_khamenei_sees_no_easing_of_hatred_for_us/afp/
http://dailymailnews.com/200810/30/news/dmheadlinepage06.html
www.huffingtonpost.com/news/mahmoud-ahmadinejad
http://www.gp.org/index.php
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=331d0736-fc9b-49aa-9a40-283baf915b10
This speech was delivered on Iranian radio and TV. IT is available on Iranian governmental website.

[mommamia526]

Igen. Agree with you.

[mommamia526]

MagisterLudi: *The great move of students..to take over the centre of espionage* is referring to taking American Diplomats hostage? Or, could it be something else, like double agents inside American Intelligence and thinktanks inside the U.S.? A third possibility, or a fourth? What really motivates the incompatibility of the *roadmap*, giving up of Gaza, demolishing Israeli homes, pressure to give up the Golan and the Westbank TOGETHER with the fight against terrorism and at the same time Iran making threatening sounds towards both Israel and the U.S. There is something to this that clashes. As for making friends with Iran and the Iranians, I am all for it, but it should go both ways.As long as the Ayatollahs are in charge, that appears problematic. Not because there is an issue with Ayatollahs, or even Islam, from this side. There is a problem from their side with all sorts of people, like Baha'i, Israelis, zionists, sunis, who knows who else. First requirement is basic mutual respect. As long as faith rules and faiths are incompatible rather than respected, that mutual respect may be difficult to reach.

[MagisterLudi]

This speech by the Ayatollah is made on the anniversary of the hostage taking by Iranians. Learn to read.