An Opening to Iran?

Foreign policy circles have been buzzing over a possible opening in the U.S. relationship with Iran.

During his campaign, President Barack Obama famously said he would talk to enemies. Now according to a story in The Guardian, the United States is drafting a letter to the people of Iran:

"Officials of Barack Obama's administration have drafted a letter to Iran from the president aimed at unfreezing US-Iranian relations and opening the way for face-to-face talks, the Guardian has learned."

Experts say the most important thing about the letter is that it would offer security guarantees to Iran and assure them the United States is not trying to overthrow the Iranian government.

On the other side, some reports say former Iranian President Muhammad Khatami will run again for the office this June. Khatami was known as a reformer, and some Iran experts think the United States missed a major opportunity during Khatemi's presidency to improve U.S.-Iran relations. Re-election of Khatami, plus a new American willingness to talk, may mean the planets have come into alignment for a new era in this contentious relationship.

New York Times columnist Roger Cohen offers President Obama sage advice on how to proceed.