WHAT DID YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN, JOHN? – AT 8:58 A.M. ET:  French-speaking Secretary of State John Kerry is apparently starting to realize that critics of his nuclear deal with Iran may well have been right – that once the European businessmen start lining up in Tehran, it will be virtually impossible credibly to threaten the Iranians with a renewal of sanctions should further talks collapse.  Glad you noticed, John.  From Reuters: 

DUBAI - US Secretary of State John Kerry has told his French counterpart a trip to Iran by French business executives was "not helpful" and gave the wrong impression that Tehran was open for business as usual, a US official said.

Under an interim deal reached between Iran and six world powers last November, Tehran agreed to limit parts of its nuclear program in exchange for the easing of some international sanctions.

The relaxation in penalties has triggered a race among Western firms to explore lucrative business opportunities. On Monday Iran welcomed more than 100 executives from France's biggest firms - Paris's most senior trade delegation in years.

"Secretary Kerry has talked directly to Foreign Minister (Laurent) Fabius about the trade delegation ... about how this is not helpful in this regard to ensure that in fact it is not business as usual," Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman told a hearing of US lawmakers in Washington on Tuesday.

"Tehran is not open for business because our sanctions relief is quite temporary, quite limited and quite targeted," she added.

COMMENT:  I'm afraid the barn door is open, Wendy.  The French will be followed by the Germans, and then by others.  The profits will speak more loudly than concerns about an Iranian nuclear bomb.  It would have been nice if someone in the State Department understood how the real world works.  The Iranians understand just that, which is why their diplomatic corps is renowned.

February 5, 2014