The mysterious, unseen giant embassy underscores how Iran’s expansion into Latin America may be less substantive than some in Washington fear. Iran’s proposed investments in Nicaragua — for a deep-water port, hydroelectric plants and a tractor factory — have also failed to materialize, Nicaraguan officials say. At a time when Iran’s oil revenue is falling, the same is true of many projects planned for Latin America, according to analysts. U.S. officials emphasized that there is plenty of reason to be concerned about Iran, which they consider a state sponsor of terrorism. But the Iranian activity has revived Cold War-style rhetoric in Washington that at times doesn’t match what is evident in places such as Managua. Last month, Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) even told reporters in a call organized by the Israel Project that “the growing influence of Iran in the Western Hemisphere reminds me of the relationship between Russia and Cuba when we dealt with the Cuban missile crisis.”
