Olympics Picture: "Who Says Iran and US Don't Get Along?"

After more than two joyous weeks of celebration and sporting drama, the 2012 London Olympics have closed. However, the images are likely to remain vivid. For example, British happiness was captured as Mo Farah, winner of the 5000 and 10,000 metres, and Jamaica's Usain Bolt, who defended three sprint titles, traded each other's signature moves:

For me, however, this is the one photograph among many that brought a surge of hope --- the American Jordan Burroughs, winner of the 74 kg Freestyle Wrestling, tweeted this picture after his ceremony with Iranian silver medalist Sadegh Goudarzi: "Who says Iran and America don't get along? Maybe I should be president!"

The Latest from Iran (8 August): A Short Break for the Olympics

The family of Omid Norouzi celebrate his Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling

See also Iran Analysis: Is This the Last Elected President?
Iran Snap Analysis: Scrambling Over Syria
The Latest from Iran (7 August): The Currency "Situation"

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2017 GMT: Foreign Affairs Watch (Syrian Front). Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has published a statement "announc[ing] Iran’s readiness to host a meeting of countries committed to immediately implementing these steps in hopes of ending the violence...[and] reiterat[ing] our willingness to facilitate talks between the Syrian government and the opposition and to host such a dialogue".

That is not new --- Salehi has said this on several occasions in recent weeks. What is new is the outlet: an opinion piece in the Washington Post.

And what is even more distinctive is Salehi's recognition --- the first I can recall from a high-ranking Iranian official --- of the legitimacy of protest against the Syrian regime:

When the Islamic Awakening — also known as the Arab Spring — began in December 2010, we all saw people rising up to claim their rights. We have witnessed the emergence of civic movements demanding freedom, democracy, dignity and self-determination.

We in Tehran have watched these developments with delight. After all, a civic movement demanding the same things that many Arabs want today is what led to the emergence of our Islamic Republic in 1979. During the past three decades, Iran has consistently underlined that it is the duty of all governments to respect their people’s demands. We have maintained this position as the Islamic Awakening has unfolded.

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Iran Propaganda Special: "Zionists Will Stage Terror Attack on Olympics"

Press TV's Vision of the "Terror Attack" on the Olympic Stadium --- People Nearby Seem Surprisingly Unconcerned

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Would the 2012 London Olympic Games experience another 9/11? How could a mock terrorist attacks fill pockets of British Zionist lobby? What do you know about Australia’s richest man and influenced bussiness [sic] man in London?

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Iran Feature: Tehran v. the "Zion" Logo of the 2012 Olympics

You can't be too careful these days.

You may have thought that the logo for the 2012 Olympics in London was an innocent light-blue collection of jagged shapes around the five rings. 

You are wrong.

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