Simon Tisdall (Guardian Utd): While the US turns its eye on Iran

[Jack Rabbit]

From the Guardian Unlimited (UK)
Dated Friday January 28

Can Straw tread softly while US turns its eye on Iran?
By Simon Tisdall

When the foreign secretary, Jack Straw, met Condoleezza Rice in Washington this week, he did not ask whether the US had plans to use military force against Iran. And the new secretary of state did not offer to tell him. "The issue was not raised once by either side," Mr Straw said afterwards. "It was not on the table."
His lack of curiosity seems odd given recent reports, privately confirmed by US officials, that special forces commandos operating inside Iran had identified targets for future air strikes.

But this "ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies" approach to the post-Iraq special relationship may suit Mr Straw. He has invested considerable personal effort in building links with Iran . . . .

Mr Straw has said repeatedly that he can "envisage no circumstances in which military action would be justified" against Iran. That contrasts uncomfortably with this week's refusal by Tony Blair, echoing George Bush, to rule out the use of force.

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