Iran setback? Or not?

Posted: Friday, June 12, 2009 3:57 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From NBC's Libby Leist
A senior State Department official said today that a win by President Ahmadinejad in Iran's elections is "not necessarily" a set back for the United States -- despite the fact that Ahmadinejad has so far rebuffed overtures from the Obama Administration.

The official acknowledged that while the Iranian President has an impact in setting the tone it is the Supreme Leader who calls the shots in Iran.

"[W]hen it comes to foreign policy or particular issues involving the United States ... chances are unelected officials and bodies will have the most significant influence," the official said.

He noted that there appear to be different opinions amongst the leadership in Iran about how to approach President Obama's overtures, which could be a good sign for the U.S.

"There are a lot of different factions in Iran who probably have mixed views on the idea of engaging the Great Satan," he joked.

The official added that the U.S. has "no illusions" about the difficulty of engaging Iran, but U.S. policy will be to try to engage no matter who wins.

"We believe it is important to engage Iran," he said, "because it is definitely in our national interest to try to see if we can resolve the range of issues that we confront. We believe it is in Iran's interest to do the same."

Looking ahead: There is a chance that Secretary of State Clinton could see a top Iranian official two weeks from now at a gathering of G8 foreign ministers in Trieste, Italy, that will focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Iran has been invited by the Italian government and Clinton will attend for the United States. An encounter in Trieste may be the first signal we get of how U.S.-Iran relations will go forward.

And how is the State Department reacting to today's large turnout in Iran?

"We are fascinated by what we are looking at," the official said.

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Comments

Maybe President Obama could entice Norm Coleman to forego further appeals by appointing him as ambassador to Ahmadinejab and special advisor on election appeals.

NM Ray (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:07 PM)

"Iran set back or Not"? Are we not supposed to find out who won tomorrow? I'll keep my fingers crossed. I'm not sure who will be better, but do believe madinejad is a bit touched!

cindy, los vegas, nv (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:09 PM)

If Ahmadinejad wins it won't be a "setback." It can't be called a setback if nothing was gained in the first place.

DG, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:09 PM)

If "he" noted and "he" joked, it must not have been the MOST senior State Department official. Unless you're lying to us.

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:10 PM)

Iran couldn't care less about Obama. I doubt they take what Obama says with more then a grain of salt, similar to what people in the US do.

Elliot H., NY (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:11 PM)

Ahmadinejad controls the state media so why would they report anything other than what we have herd.

At this time there is only 19% of the vote counted and it shows Ahmadinejad with 69%.

I find that percentage to be unrealistically high considering all the reports leading up to today.

Also the final say is not the vote but what the supreme leaders decide.

Sub Sailor (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:13 PM)

No setback since it's highly likely that the election results are rigged and Ahmadinejad was going to win no matter what. Another Iranian revolution upcoming, thanks to Obama?

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:13 PM)

It is so much fun to watch leaders like Ahmadinejad and Chavez coming on to US soil, going to the UN and just throwing mud in the eyes of the US. Kind of makes you think about why we (the US) pays for most of the UNs expenses.

J. Bolton (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:15 PM)

It's NONE OF OUR BUSINESS

It would have been good if a 'reformer' had won
But, maybe he didn't win
What do we really know about Mousavi
He might have been the 'George Bush' of Iran (heaven forbid)

If the incumbent wins, it'll mean that the Iranians wanted to have Religious leaders control their society....

No abortions, No birth control, No gay marriage, No Gay rights, No death with dignity.....

Does THAT Sound familiar ??

Sounds like the Republican Platform if they just add some anti-Immigation stands

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:19 PM)

There is a chance that Secretary of State Clinton could see a top Iranian official two weeks

She can "see" him - but she cant talk to him - BoBo has her bound tight.

BoBo the Prez (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:20 PM)

I am fascinated as well...the number of people turning out to vote at 70% is excellent. I just want what's best for those people. I also hope that the election is at least honest.

I am still waiting to see the official election results. Great article by Mark Murry in Cuba. You guys have a great weekend!

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:28 PM)

Below is a list of the actions Obama has taken to deal with North Korea:

Mike Clayton, Atlanta (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 2:37 PM)

-------------------------------------------

Below is a list of suggestions the GOP has on what Obama should do about North Korea:

Pete - Albany, NY

Ahh, but Pete, remember, Obama won. He said so, the last time he talked to the Republicans months ago. Barry is the guy in the big high chair now.

Seriously though, this is what happens when you put a inexperienced nitwit into the White House. Obama doesn't have a clue what to do, so he does, nothing. Maybe no one will notice, right? Well, at least until Japan sees yet another mushroom cloud on their property.

Mike Clayton, Atlanta (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 4:30 PM)

Okay, today the White House suddenly recognized the 'supreme body' in Iran? Not yesterday?

And if Mousavi had won the election, would they have mentioned the supreme body, or would they have issued statements designed to lead us to believe that (a) Obama's election had influenced the Iranian election; and (b) the Iranian president was Obama's ally?

You can bet your bottom dollar it would be the latter.

And, of course, the media will now spin this that the election does not matter, as the supreme body makes all the decisions. This, in fact, is true, but would have gone unmentioned in the hoopla surrounding the 'victory' for Obama in the Iranian election.

In fact, by re-electing this madman, the Iranian people have spoken loudly what they think of our fearless leader, and it is not much.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 5:05 PM)

It is fascinating to watch this all play out. From the looks of the demonstrations in Tehran, my thoughts turn to the comments posted earlier today about the GOP needing an ark. This is evidence that the demographics all over the world are changing, not just in the US. All leaders need to come into the 21st century and realize that we can continue to "screw this up" or take a more moderate view, understand that we are not going back to the 1950's, '60's or any other decade. We need to plant our hearts and heads in a new direction - of peace, tollerance and openmindedness. It's a new day, and hopefully, the movement in Iran can effect that change with this election, but if not, certainly with elections to come.

CdV LA CA (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 5:08 PM)

So basically our ayatollahs (the Supreme Court) installed the electoral loser in 2000. Guess which candidate will be similarly installed by the ayatollahs in Iran? BTW, this is the quintessential definition of a setback. After all, look at the damage Bush accomplished in his two terms.

Reborn to Post (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 5:09 PM)

YEAH RIGHT --- BIG DIFFERENCES AMONG THE "DATES & NUTS" IN IRAN!

IRAN --- THE LAND OF DATES & NUTS ... (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 5:15 PM)

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