President Bush has likened direct
diplomatic engagement with Iran to appeasement of Hitler.
But Washington has sent a top US diplomat to meet Iran's nuclear negotiators.
There is also talk of an American diplomatic representation in Tehran.
What is behind this apparent change of strategy?
Robert Baer is a former Middle East specialist with the CIA.
He says America is slowly facing up to the truth that Iran is a regional
superpower.
Robert Baer talks to Stephen Sacku
