Obama and Iran: Getting to Yes

The Iranians have so far greeted every Obama administration overture to them with tepid-to-hostile reactions. Without reading too much into it — Mahmoud Ahmedinejad does not make the foreign policy of Iran; that’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, last seen rebuking President Obama — this would appear to be a change in tone:

“The Iranian people would welcome a hand extended to it if the hand is truly based on honesty,” said Mr. Ahmadinejad in a speech at the central city of Isfahan today. The text of his remarks was reported by Iranian news services.

“Yet, if it has an honest appearance but is dishonest by nature, the Iranian people would give the same response that it gave to George Bush,” he said. “Therefore the change should be in action, not in words.”

Baby steps.