U.S. FAILURE IN IRAQ ENCOURAGES IRAN

"... officials at all levels of government here say they see the American presence as a source of strength for themselves as they face the Bush administration. In almost every conversation about Iran's nuclear showdown with the United States and Europe, they cite the Iraq war as a factor Iran can play to its own advantage..."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/29/weekinreview/29slackman.html?_r=1