Stubbornness is not an admirable trait. It suggests either a sense of superiority or arrogance in the person who demonstrates it. Right now, the new Biden administration is demonstrating stubbornness when it comes to Iran.
The Iranian government has dropped several hints — the latest being a CNN interview with the country’s foreign minister — that it is ready for dialogue with the U.S. The Biden administration’s response: Chill out. There have been no overtures from the administration since it entered power almost two weeks ago.
Such an attitude is not becoming of leadership.
During his inauguration address, President Biden spoke of healing. Healing cannot be reserved only for Americans, who after four years of white-hot political rhetoric (not to mention a failed coup) made clear Biden meant a new beginning, an opportunity to think about the direction the country was heading in the initial years of the 2020s.
Tehran is offering the proverbial olive branch. The time is now, not tomorrow and not next week, for Washington to accept it. Doing so would be consistent with Biden’s call for healing.
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