IPS: Why should the Iranian authorities agree to the proposal for a U.S. Interests Sections?
HA: It is no longer fashionable in Iran to say we don’t talk or negotiate with the U.S. or that the U.S. is our enemy. Such an attitude does not exist in the country anymore. Ever since the topic of a U.S. Interests Section in Tehran has emerged, I notice a lot of excitement among people. They feel like something is happening. They become happy when they hear positive news about any improvement in Iran-U.S. relations. They become deeply sad when they hear about a war or alienation.
IPS: Is there a will among Iranian conservatives to extensively discuss the concerns existing between the two countries?
HA: Ahmadinejad is not the most radical Iranian conservative. There are others more radical and more conservative than him. Those groups may not be interested in dialogue, but they are not in power at this time. They can only complain, grumble, insult others, and accuse them. They can’t, however, stop this movement. In fact, the only group capable of pushing this idea forward is in power.
