Decrease in Iran-US Tensions in Iraq?
In a move that will help to deescalate tensions between the US and Iran, the US military has announced plans to release nine Iranians—including two of the Irbil five. Iran also plans to open consulates in Irbil and Suleimaniyah.
A Dubai-based Gulf analyst says the Iranians’ release came after the US military got the intelligence it needed – and recognized it had little prospect of having the Iranians tried on espionage or terror charges by the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, which enjoys warm ties with Tehran. “They have reached a point where they cannot keep them unless they do something legally,” says Mustafa al-Ani of the Gulf Research Center. “It’s also sending a positive signal, part of the carrot and stick.”
Zebari said the release will bode well for another round of talks between Iranian and US diplomats that is expected to be held shortly in Baghdad. The last meeting between Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador in Iraq, and his Iranian counterpart took place in July in the presence of top Iraqi officials.
In a briefing on Oct. 26, Mr. Crocker appeared to have mixed thoughts on how much Iran was responsible for the reduction in violence by Shiite militias – and its future intentions in Iraq. “I think it continues to be a mixed and cloudy picture. We’ve seen some interesting developments – for example, over the last couple of months, a virtual cessation of indirect fire on the international zone,” he said referring to mortar attacks on the fortified area that houses the US Embassy.
Irancove @ November 7, 2007