It's actually good that the Iranian leadership is ignoring this, the message wasn't meant for them. It was meant for the Iranian people, who will be voting on June 12.
June 12 is when Ahmadinejad is up for re-election. This isn't a Saddam Hussein style election, there's a legitimate chance that Ahmadinejad could lose, especially if the reformists get their act together. It goes without saying that a reformist victory would mean a much better dialouge partner on nuclear issues. It would also be a huge diplomatic victory for Obama.
A lot of Iranains don't like their country's isolation from the world. Before, Ahmadinejad could simply blame it on America. Now Obama's making it clear that Iran's isolation can end if Iran wants it to. Ahmadinejad's rejection of the overtures sends a clear message to the Iranain electorate that he's not the guy who can bring Iran back in to the world community. Hopefully the reformists will make good use of this gift that Obama is giving them.
|