AND W SHOULD GO THERE TO TALK TO THEM:

Iran's reformers to U.S.: Let's talk: Ex-president Khatami says don't let hard-liners in US and Iran dictate the relationship (Scott Peterson, 11/30/07, The Christian Science Monitor)

Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Shirin Ebadi are among several key Iranian public figures saying that only direct, unconditional talks with the US can ease spiraling tensions. [...]

Khatami and Ebadi echo the sentiments of many Iranians – including some in the conservative government – who prefer dialogue and detente with the US to brinksmanship, though hard-line factions often undermine such efforts.