When Iran Talks to the Great Satan

Good news: Iran and America have "suddenly decided" to hold direct talks, said Tehran’s E’temad-e Melli in an editorial. The ostensible topic is limited to the upheaval in our neighbor, Iraq. But "one can’t deny that these talks will have an effect on the strained relationship between Tehran and Washington." The ongoing disagreement over Iran’s atomic programs, and the U.S. insistence on referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council, has been unpleasant. We have many points of possible common ground with America, yet "we have failed to take advantage of all diplomatic options for maximizing our national interest." Only through talking frankly with each other can we keep "the door to understanding" open.

Talk is "a trap," said Hoseyn Shari’atma-dari in Tehran’s Kayhan. The U.S. and its allies "have been trying for years" to get Iran to sit down at a negotiating table. Ali Larijani, Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, claims that this time is different because an Iraqi ayatollah requested our help in defusing violence. But a U.S. spokesman says the idea really originated with the U.S. ambassador in Iraq, who wanted to "summon" the Iranian ambassador for a talking-to about supposed Iranian meddling in Iraqi affairs. "Just pay attention! Could there be any greater humiliation?" The U.S. objective "is to send a message to all Islamic movements" that Iran, after 27 years of resistance, has finally surrendered to America. "It is quite regrettable and strange" that "our esteemed officials fail to see the horrifying consequences!"

Have a little faith in our leaders, said Tehran’s Jomhuri-ye Eslami in an editorial. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself has given permission for these talks. Our government has shown that it is "determined to stand up to the bullying powers and imperialists and resist them with all its might." The tide of history is with Iran. "Every day the anti-American movement is expanding far and wide." It has already reached across the world, from the Middle East to Asia to South America and Europe. Even "in America itself, everything indicates the speedy fall of the hawkish and warmonger Republicans and the so-called neocons." As our new year, 1385, dawns, there is little doubt that soon "all the victories of the Iranian people will be complete, God willing."

Khairallah Khairallah

Al Rai’ Al Aam