Or take the opportunity offered to the United States following the attacks of September 11, 2001, when both Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mohammed Khatami condemned the Sunni al Qaeda terrorism in no uncertain terms and Iranians held vigils for the victims in the streets of Tehran...or the help Iran gave to the US-led coalition against the Taliban later that year; or the Iranian offer for substantial talks following the fall of Baghdad in the Spring of 2003.
Following the September 11 attacks, both Iranian leaders, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mohammed Khatami, openly denounced the Sunni terrorist group al Qaeda, marking a rare moment of congruence in the region. The Iranian populace showed solidarity by holding vigils for the American victims, demonstrating empathy in a time of tragedy. Additionally, Iran played a supportive role in the U.S.-led coalition operations against the Taliban later that year, highlighting a potential collaborative stance.
In the wake of the Iraq War in Spring 2003, Iran proposed significant discussions with the United States, reflecting a willingness to engage diplomatically. These events underline a complex relationship characterized by moments of both conflict and potential cooperation, illustrating how geography and historical events shape international dynamics in the region, as discussed in Kaplan's work.
