U.S. - Iranian Relations

Special Note: Today is the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

The Obama administration has vowed to take a diplomatic approach to greatly improving the United States' relation with Iran. The New York Times reports that

"Mr. Ahmadinejad promised that if the United States was truly serious about changing the countries’ relations, then Iran was ready to respond in kind. 'It is clear that change should be fundamental, not tactical, and our people welcome real changes,” he said. “Our nation is ready to hold talks based on mutual respect and in a fair atmosphere.' "

Of course, I see this happening: Iran will want the right to develop nuclear technologies for energy use only. The U.S. will not feel comfortable with this, given President Ahmadinejad's statements regarding the "wiping of Israel off the map". Either side will have to make a major concession in order for a stable relationship to exist; the U.S. has faith in Iran's pledge to seek peaceful nuclear technology -or- Iran will have to abandon its nuclear pursuits.