by Jessica Reed
According to last night's BBC Newsnight program, the highest authorities in Theran offered the US government exactly what they wanted at the beginning if the Iraq war - and more. And while the Pentagon was keen on considering the proposition, the White House wasn't. And yet the offer would now make most diplomats salivate; Iran offered:
- Effort put towards stabilisation in Iraq
- Transparency on their nuclear program
- End to Hezbollah and Hamas support
The catch? Iran wanted a halt to hostile US behaviours and sanctions and most importantly, they wanted to US to pursuit the People's Mujahedeen, an Iran revolutionary organisation labelled as terrorists by the USA which was given shelter near Ashraf by Saddam Hussein, and still constitute an important threat to the actual Iranian government who wants the group eradicated.
It seems that the US officials' response was "we don't talk to the evil", a reaction which might have cost numerous peace talks, ceasefires or even progress in the region, and which put a stop to possible negociations between Washington and Tehran.
