U.S.-Iran relations, as characterized by the State Department’s leading Iran expert, John Limbert, is one that is unfortunately troubled by bad timing and missed opportunities. When one side is ready for progress, the other is not. Last year, when the opportunity for negotiations arose, Iran plunged into domestic turmoil following disputed presidential elections. As Limbert put it: “They always zig when we zag.”

Another glaring misfortune, like many relationships that erode, is the inability to engage and communicate with Iran. Traditionally used as a foreign policy tool to persuade nations to negotiate, economic sanctions in Iran were touted as a “failure” by Ahmadinejad, resulting in an uncooperative Iran. Although the U.S. has come far by gradually changing its rhetoric towards Iran, where it is “perhaps doing less yelling at each other”, hostility still remains as Limbert expressed doubt that people can “exchange letters in a professional way”, indicating a strained relationship. Sadly, little progress has been made since the last 30 years.

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