Mr. Khan, you're a great expert on the realities of the region. As I've said, yes, I agree we have to keep the lines of communication open, but there's a fine line between speaking that amounts to appeasements and speaking that amounts to a principled exchange.
On the one hand, for instance, I think it was unfortunate when the opportunities existed immediately after the invasion of Iraq...that diplomatic ties were not restored with the United States. I would support the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and the United States. I would support this engagement because isolation plays into the hands of the hard-liners.
We have to look at the other side of the equation, which is where, for instance, in the case of many European states with significant commercial interests in Iran, they would not only turn a blind eye to human rights abuses in Iran, but they would also even allow assassinations on their own territory because of certain political considerations.
So should we speak with Iran? Yes, but we should also understand that there are many different voices in Iran. We should understand that the regime needs to understand that Iran does have legitimate interests as a regional power in the Middle East, but that those interests will be respected only if they're exercised responsibly.
One responsibility is first and foremost to the Iranian people, that their human rights be respected, and the other is not to foment unrest, whether it is with Hezbollah, Muqtada al-Sadr, or the various groups that are proxies for what I think is a very crude and destructive extension of regional power. Power doesn't come through supporting terrorist organizations. Power in this world comes through having a thriving economy, through having a culture that can influence others.