Iran: Tehran and the West Play Hard To Get

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari on Sept. 11 said he had invited British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to Tehran, and that Miliband had accepted the invitation. Later, however, the British Foreign Office said Miliband had not accepted the invitation and that no senior European official would visit Iran anytime soon. The apparent confusion is part of the diplomatic dance going on between Iran and the West — a dance that might have to end soon if negotiations are to reach a conclusion before the next U.S. president takes office.