Iran Plays Down Political Impact of U.S. Quake Help

Now I realize why Khatami had to say this, and perhaps behind the scenes our gesture towards Iran is being accepted as genuine and may help relations with the Islamic State in the future. But this is a prime example of Americans helping other nations and getting slapped in the face in return:

President Mohammad Khatami said Tuesday U.S. aid to earthquake victims in Iran, while welcome, would not alter the state of relations between the two arch foes who broke off ties nearly a quarter century ago.

“I don’t think this incident will change our relations with the United States,” Khatami told a news conference in the capital of southeastern Kerman province where officials say up to 50,000 people were killed in a quake that struck Friday.