February 21-2014
Iran and Israel may be quietly trying to develop some kind of relationship, even if it isn’t all that chummy. A few weeks ago, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Bogie Yaalon (arrow in photo above) attended an appearance by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif (lower right) at the Munich Security Conference. Now Iran has reciprocated the courtesy. Last week, Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian attended a talk delivered in Abu Dhabi by Israeli Energy and Water Minister Silvan Shalom, Iranian-Israeli Meir Javedanfar reported on his blog. In the past, Israeli and Iranian officials have routinely stood up and walked out of meetings when officials of the other country spoke. This change doesn’t mean that ambassadors are about to be exchanged. But it does suggest the two governments might like to arrange some quiet contacts behind closed doors. No one in Iran has yet publicized the photo above.