MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE WITH IRAN

"... In the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks... In Iran, vast crowds turned out on the streets and held candlelit vigils for the victims. Sixty-thousand spectators respected a minute's silence at Tehran's football stadium... After the Afghan war, US negotiators worked closely with Iranian counterparts to form a new Afghan government... (but) just a few weeks after Iran and the US had worked so closely over Afghanistan, Iran was described by President George W Bush as part of an "axis of evil" in his 2002 State of the Union address..."

"... in May 2003... Tehran made a dramatic... approach to the Americans... a letter... (that) appeared willing to put everything on the table - including being completely open about its nuclear programme, helping to stabilise Iraq, ending its support for Palestinian militant groups and help in disarming Hezbollah... (Iran asked for) a halt in US hostile behaviour and a statement that "Iran did not belong to 'the axis of evil'"... But in Washington, the letter was ignored..."

"... the effect of America's rejection of talks was far reaching. It would tilt the balance of power within Tehran towards the hardliners... And the balance of power between Iran and the US began to shift.... Iran's influence both in Iraq and across the Middle East grew..."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5377914.stm