Bush Expected to Establish First Post-Revolution Diplomatic Presence in Iran

In a move expected to be announced sometime after November’s US Presidential Election, President Bush will reportedly announce his intentions to establish an “interests section” in Iran. An Interests Section is a diplomatic office operating out of a third nation’s embassy. The United States has such an office through the Swiss Embassy in Cuba, and Iran has such an office in the United States through the Pakistani Embassy.

The move has been rumored to be pending for several months, but would be politically volatile during an election season. Republican nominee John McCain has opposed any talks with the Iranian government, and has condemned Democratic nominee Barack Obama for his support for talks.

The move would be the first US diplomatic presence in Iran since the 1979 Iranian revolution. During the revolution, students seized the US embassy leading to dozens of US diplomats being held hostage for over a year. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country is interested in friendly relations with the United States, regardless of who wins next month’s presidential election.