World Watch
February 10, 2009 8:59 AM

How "Ready" Is Iran To Talk, Really?

By
Elizabeth Palmer
Topics
World Watch
This analysis was written by CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer, who just returned from Tehran.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's declaration — that "the Iranian nation is ready for talks (with the U.S.) but in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect" — could mean everything. Or nothing.

Although he was speaking at the vast rally in Tehran marking the 30th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution, Ahmadinejad is also a politician on the stump. He's campaigning for re-election as Iran's President in four months.

(AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)


Those in the crowd who long for better relations with the U.S. will have heard in the President's speech a promise of rapprochement. But to those who fear America — as many do — the phrase "mutual respect" means Iran won't negotiate if there's any pressure to stop its nuclear program or its support of Hamas and Hezbollah.

The festivities celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution have been going on for the past 10 days, and they've been studded with decidedly unfriendly messages to the United States.

On Jan. 31, a crowd gathered at Ayatollah Khomeini's tomb chanted "Death to America," led by one of Iran's most senior clerics and politicians, Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Two days later, Iran fired a rocket carrying its first home-built satellite into space — an unambiguous demonstration that Iran has developed powerful missile technology, with obvious military applications.

Then, on Feb. 4, Iran abruptly refused to issue visas for the U.S. women's badminton team after having invited them to participate in a tournament in Tehran. The event would have been the first U.S.-Iranian exchange since President Obama's inauguration.

A carnival atmosphere reigned at today's rally, reports CBS News Leily Lankarani. There were drawing competitions for children, marching bands, free hats and snacks. There were also banners that read "Down with the USA".

How many people who turned out at the rally really do want improved relations with the United States?

There's little reliable data, but one poll from a year ago found just over half of Iranians questioned (57 percent) favored open-ended talks with the United States. But it's much less clear what proportion of the revolutionary Islamic leadership favors rapprochement.

During a trip to Tehran last week, I was told by a senior figure in the regime, "It is better for us to have frozen relations with America. Certainly there is no immediate benefit to better relations, and the citizens of Iran don't think it's a priority. They can't see how a rapprochement would concretely improve their lives."

Some progressive clerics and political leaders do see how better relations could improve Iranian lives — with freer travel, improved technology and much-needed investment.

But the Iranian leadership is trapped by its own rhetoric. "Death to America" is more than just a slogan left over from the late 1970's when the U.S. supported the Shah. It is a political tool that has allowed the regime to blame any setback on America — from the weak economy to unrest among ethnic minorities.

Giving it up will require deft revisionism, as well as courage — especially if negotiations bring pressure for political and economic reforms.

As a gifted populist politician, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad knows this as well as anyone. That's why his comments today are so usefully ambiguous, designed to buy time while he and the rest of the leadership contemplate their next move.

Add a Comment See all 33 Comments
by runningralph February 13, 2009 1:34 AM EST
Politicians in foreign countries like Iran, Russia, China or India see Obama as a weak competitor. With a US leader like Obama they will be able to increase their influence and power.
Reply to this comment
by toolmangler-2009 February 11, 2009 7:27 PM EST
If an Iranian diplomats mouth is open, He is lying.
Reply to this comment
by PacificGatePost February 11, 2009 4:59 PM EST

PATH TO MIDDLE EAST PEACE - THROUGH IRAN

A strategy for repairing U.S. %u2013 Iran relations.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2009/02/iran-solution-to-middle-east.html

This will reduce strife in Iraq and in Palestine.

Reply to this comment
by ubrew12 February 11, 2009 12:47 AM EST
CBS: "How "Ready" Is Iran To Talk, Really?"

This may sound naive, but why don''t we ask them?

I''m sure there''s some mysterious reason why that would be ''too easy''.

CBS: is Israel really that desperate to have you ''carry water'' for them?
Reply to this comment
by ayatoldyaso February 10, 2009 10:42 PM EST
As soon as Iran became a theocracy Iran''s Supreme leader has been preaching bigotry hate and terrorism. Iran is the worlds largest exporter of terrorist organizations, causing chaos and murder in the Mideast and Northern Africa.

If any dialogue goes between the US and Iran I hope it follows the adage, talk softly and carry a big stick.
Reply to this comment
by ioweign February 10, 2009 10:10 PM EST
Google "OPERATION AJAX"

Reply to this comment
by jamster31 February 10, 2009 9:38 PM EST
When Americans or American journalists keep referring to Iranians as a "regime" and "terrorist supporters", what do they expect to hear but "Death to America" chants from the Iranians.

Posted by d33pthroat1 at 03:59 PM : Feb 10, 2009

They treat their own citizens like dirt. They threaten to wipe another nation off the earth and you''re worried about offending them. You''re a coward. Move to Iran.
Reply to this comment
by sexymiller February 10, 2009 8:58 PM EST
What i will say is the World is changing and anyone or anynation that choose not to change with the World the World will change with out him/her, jst the way he change without George W Bush
Reply to this comment
by questionnews February 10, 2009 8:40 PM EST
Diplomacy is the art of saying "nice doggie" until you can find a rock!
Reply to this comment
by tmittelstaed February 10, 2009 7:40 PM EST
"...Anyway.. there is a whole negative, almost an anti-Iran vibe in this piece by Palmer - as if relating with Iran is going to be like relating with Evil. Not a good attitude to have if you want to improve relationship with a country...."

We have had 30 years of US Presidents calling Iran bad names - I''d be surprised if Palmer herself is much older than 30. And in Sept. 2007, Debra Cagan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Coalition Affairs to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, stated to six visiting British MP''s "In any case, I hate all Iranians" And she said it in such a manner that there was no mistaking that she really did.

We are trying to go from an official US Government position of hating Iran. There are a huge number of people in the US who have been raised on hate. Not only have the Iranian leaders been using the US as a convenient scapegoat, the US leaders have been using Iran as a convenient scapegoat. Ahmadinejad is taking a risk by sticking out his neck here, it''s amazing he did it at all.
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