Americans were the most popular people in Iran 25 to 30 years ago. Our closeness with America brought us prosperity. And, mirroring the ping-pong diplomacy that led to a U.S. detente with China in the 1970s, soccer and wrestling team exchanges between the United States and Iran have helped break down barriers. Both teams won fair-play awards. In a nation that often prides style over substance, Iranians were disgusted at what they saw as a high-profile humiliation.
Lessons appear to have been learned in Washington after that incident, however.
Iran's national soccer team visited the United States last month, was not fingerprinted, and played to a rousing welcome at a re-match with the American national team. The result was a politically correct tie, at 1-1. But we are not going to give up our Islamic dignity. The Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved.