DISQUS

I am an Iranian born American living in the US and a former journalist. It is interesting to me that now that the economic sanctions and pressure on Iran are actually working (for the first time since 1979 there are now open discussions in Iran about talks and relations with the US) there is talk in the US about giving in to some or all of Iran's "legitimate" interests or demands. The Leverett's and others seem to forget that when Iran asks for normalization of relations with the West or the US, this is merely a strategy to create an atmosphere in which they can continue their goals with less pressure. I have worked for the Iranian government and have no doubt that the anti-US posture is the fundamental legitimizing element of the Iranian regime. If they end that stand and posture, then domestically they will be seen as not being revolutionary or independant any longer. They also honestly do believe that Iranian and American interests in the Middle East contradict, and therefore there can be no detente between the two countries. IRAN WANTS THE US OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST. I think this point is missed. The Soviets accepted the status quo in Europe, although not in the Third World, but the Iranian regime does not recognise US interests in the Middle East, at all. Knowing the Iranian psyche and political culture, it is sometimes surprizing to me how naive some American scholars or even policy makers are about international politics. Thank you.