U.S. Iran Friendship Committee

Plans are under way in Tehran, to form an Iranian-U.S. friendship committee. Iranian deputies gathered signatures from conservatives and reformists alike, from the 290 member legislature. One deputy who did sign the document, Darioush Ghanbari, said the Iranian Parliament is seeking to "explain Iran's realities to the U.S. Congress", and reduce tensions between the two countries.

Ghanbari was quoted as saying,"In the absence of formal diplomatic relations, we seek to establish a parliamentary relationship with the U.S. Congress and fill the existing gap of contacts between the two nations."

This is the first attempt of trying to settle the differences between Iran and the U.S. that have been ongoing for nearly 30 years. All diplomatic ties were severed in 1979 when Iranian militant students stormed the U.S. Embassy located in Tehran. They were protesting the refusal of the U.S. handing over Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was being held for trial.

There is no set number of signatures needed to form such a committee. The document will be submitted to Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, the parliament speaker. It is uncertain what he will do. The final say rests with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran. Haddad Adel has the opportunity to accept or reject the proposal. But sources believe he will consult with Khamenei before making any decisions.

Supporters of this committee say that it could help stop some of the anti-Iranian legislation imposed by the U.S. Congress.

There are many issues to overcome. Washington has accused the Iranian's of supporting Iraqi militants. These allegations have been denied. The United States and many of it's allies have also accused Iran of gearing up for nuclear weapon production. Again, denied. Iran points fingers at the U.S. troops in Iraq as causing unrest in their country. The Iraqi government is wanting the two countries to end their squabble. Iraq has close ties with both countries.

Associated Press reported Jalal Hosseini, an Iranian reformist lawmaker, as saying,"If (Iranian) government officials are reconciling with Americans, why can't the Iranian nation reconcile with the American people?"
He further stated,"We are seeking to form this friendship committee to undermine anti-Iran policies of the Bush administration and show our good will and our peace-loving spirits."