Countering Iran's Distrust

As U.S. and Iranian diplomats prepare for a crucial meeting in Baghdad tomorrow, what's on Tehran's mind? The normal reportorial techniques aren't much help, since the Iranians aren't talking publicly. But we can get a sense of what they're thinking by using the columnist's ancient art of mind reading.

Tehran fears the same thing it has since 1979: an American plot to undermine the Islamic revolution. This suspicion of foreign conspiracies animates every Iranian decision. The Americans say they support Iraq's Shiite prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, but Tehran doesn't fully believe it. Why would America create a friendly Shiite government in Iraq and thus give Iran more power in the region?

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaks to a group of clerics in Mashhad on May 16. (By Javad Moghimi -- Associated Press) George F. Will: Cabs and Cupidity David S. Broder: A Small Way to Say Thanks? Jim Hoagland: Dealing With Putin Lynn Scarlett: The Poetry of Rachel Carson David Ignatius: Countering Iran's Distrust Today's Editorials Note: Please upgrade your Flash plug-in to view our enhanced content. Think Tank Town | On Faith | PostGlobal