Someone in Iran Gets It,....

Khamenei backs talks with U.S. on Iraq
Iran's top leader warns against 'bullying' in first formal meetings

Tuesday, March 21, 2006; Posted: 6:28 p.m. EST (23:28 GMT)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that he approves of proposed talks between U.S. and Iranian officials on Iraq, but warned that the United States must not try to "bully" Iran.

It was the first confirmation that Khamenei, who holds final say on all state matters in Iran, is in favor of the talks. His comments appeared aimed at calming criticism by hard-liners over a major shift in policy by the regime, which long shunned high-level contacts with a country Tehran brands "the Great Satan."

Khamenei spoke hours after U.S. President George W. Bush said he favors the talks. Bush said American officials would show Iran "what's right or wrong in their activities inside of Iraq."

(snip)

Last week, a top Iranian official -- Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council -- announced that Tehran was willing to enter talks with the United States.

The announcement drew criticism from some hard-liners in Iran's clerical regime. Hossein Shariatmadari, a close adviser to Khamenei, called Larijani's statements "deplorable" and said holding talks with the U.S. would signal that "Iran gave in to Washington."

Khamenei appeared to be weighing in to end the criticism, while insisting Iran would not bow to the United States in any talks.

To which the TrekMedic opines:

If that doesn't get Iran to bow to us,...I'm sure a few covert operations on those nuclear facilities might! Or maybe a few daisy cutters dropped on their infrastructure?