US mission in Iran a good idea

The idea, floated once again by Condoleezza Rice, of the United States opening a diplomatic mission in Iran would be the right step at the right time.

The move would certainly ease the rising tension in the region and could eventually help unblock major issues in the Middle East such as the Iran nuclear dossier and the ongoing trouble in Iraq.

Within this context, Gulf states have always called for a diplomatic dialogue between the US and Iran. The last GCC summit, which the Iranian president attended, appealed for both Washington and Tehran to solve their disputes diplomatically.

It is of course late for the Bush administration to engage Iran and get the hoped-for results. But any move in this direction will certainly pave the way for the next administration to use words and not bombs in dealing with those burning issues.

Iran, meanwhile, should be transparent in its dealings with the international community, particularly in relation to its nuclear programme.

Tehran should not make the mistake of perceiving the US move, if and when it materialises, as a victory of its confrontational policy.

It should regard the move as a chance to spare the Gulf region yet another conflict.