The New York Times just published a fascinating piece about a Iranian scientist named Shahram Amiri, who has sought refuge in the Pakistani Embassy’s Iran interest section in Washington D.C. The piece shows that there are at least two different versions of the story and clearly demonstrates the murky and cold waters that run over all that we know about counter-espionage and counter-terrorism.
Consider the short passage that describes the competing stories that stand behind Mr. Amiris appearance in the Pakistani Embassy:
“In June, Iran publicized what it called a videotaped statement from Mr. Amiri purportedly proving its claim about the scientist’s disappearance. But a second videotape posted on the Internet showed a man who identified himself as the scientist claiming to be studying in the United States.”
“If the Iranian version is true, it is not clear how the man escaped his alleged captors to reach the Pakistani Embassy. If the second version is accurate, it is not clear why he would want to escape, or whether he had been taken under duress.”
Please spend some time with this article and another Reuters piece that suggests the U.S. was forced to release Amiri.
There are more twists and turns here–more what ifs– than a black and white politics will allow. For instance, most Americans do not know that the U.S. keeps its thumb of the pulse of Iranian power politics through its own section in the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. What does it mean to sever diplomatic ties with a country and still be surrounded by its local politics?
Certitude is a weak position to hold here. Only ambiguity can serve the ruling view.
Update**
A new Reuters piece published in the Times reports:
“‘Mr. Amiri has been in the United States of his own free will and has decided to return to Iran of his own free will,” the U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.”
“The official said Amiri’s situation was different from U.S. citizens, including three hikers, who are in Iranian custody without charge. “They should be released immediately and allowed to return to the United States,” the official said.”
Is this an effort to show good faith in a move to engineer the release of the American citizens?
