The United States on Tuesday launched a new “virtual embassy” for Iran. Except it’s not really an embassy at all. It’s a website with resources and links for the Iranian people.
“Because the United States and Iran do not have diplomatic relations, we have missed some important opportunities for dialogue with you, the citizens of Iran,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a welcome message. “… This is a platform for us to communicate with each other, openly and without fear, about the United States, about our policies, our culture and the American people.”
Watch Clinton’s welcome video:
The U.S. cut off diplomatic relations with Iran in 1980 after the Iranian Revolution, and as its diplomats were being held hostage in Tehran. Currently, the U.S. communicates with Iran via the Swiss embassy. The new “virtual” embassy, the U.S. acknowledges, is not a “formal diplomatic mission.” The website has information for obtaining visas, citizenship information and social media links.
Via Associated Press.
David Taintor
David Taintor is the Front Page Editor at TPM, where he contributes to TPM's Livewire coverage, among other areas. David is from Chanhassen, Minnesota, where, yes, it gets very cold. Reach him at taintor [at] talkingpointsmemo.com
Facebook Conversations
Questions about commenting with non-Facebook accounts like Yahoo, or other concerns? Click here to read the TPM Commenting FAQ.