Does U.S.-Russia Rift Open New Options for U.S. and Iran?

Iran, always seeking a independent route, has long been as wary of Russia as it is of the United States. And Iran has been uncharactristically silent about the Russia-Georgia dispute.

A friend of mine, writing for EurasiaNet says, "Experts in Tehran believe the Iran’s foreign policy establishment is playing a waiting game in the expectation that deepening US-Russian acrimony will open up new diplomatic avenues that Tehran can use to end its international diplomatic isolation. 'A whole new set of options may be opening up for Iran,' said an Iran-based expert."

Could this mean that the current situation will push the United States and Iran closer? He adds later, "'Iran’s rather neutral stance on the [Caucasus] can be read as a signal to the United States,' said the Tehran political scientist. Many in Iran’s foreign policy establishment remain interested in trying to restore diplomatic relations with the United States, which would open up the possibility of Iran serving as a major conduit for funneling Caspian Basin energy westward."

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