GREEN LIGHT, GO:

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. contacted Iran's ayatollah before election: Administration overture to Khamenei ridiculed in sermon (Barbara Slavin, June 24, 2009, Washington Times)

Prior to this month's disputed presidential election in Iran, the Obama administration sent a letter to the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling for an improvement in relations, according to interviews and the leader himself.

Ayatollah Khamenei confirmed the letter toward the end of a lengthy sermon last week, in which he accused the United States of fomenting protests in his country in the aftermath of the disputed June 12 presidential election.

A public letter, making it clear that the US recognized the Grand Ayatollah but would not deal with Ahmedinejad, might have been useful. A quiet nod during an election could only be counterproductive.

Posted by Orrin Judd at June 24, 2009 6:16 AM