Source: Asia Times:
By Farideh Farhi
HAWAII – As the Iranian leadership prepares to engage in negotiations with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) over the fate of its nuclear program, the conversation inside Iran has moved beyond the nuclear issue, and now includes a debate about the utility of engaging in direct talks – even relations – with the United States.
Public discussions of relations with the United States have historically been a taboo in Iran. To be sure, there have always been individuals who have brought up the idea, but they have either been severely chastised publicly and quickly silenced, or ignored. The current conversation is distinguished by its breadth as well the clear positioning of the two sides on the issue.