"Is the Bush administration inching toward a more reasonable relationship with Iran?

The official words say no. Once again last week, a State Department official renewed the call for sanctions against Iran, calling them "essential."

Now forget the rhetoric because the Bush administration has moved three baby steps toward a new relationship with Iran.

First, the State Department approved a visa so former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami could visit the United States, join a United Nations conference and speak in Washington, Charlottesville, Chicago and Boston.

The second step was renewing cultural exchanges between Americans and Iranians -- an idea that disappeared several years ago."

Get the Story:
Mark Trahant: U.S. edges toward needed ties with Iran (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 9/10)

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