Iran: November 1, 2002

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While the Iranian government condemns a possible American attack on Iraq, the American and Iranian navies are cooperating to crack down on Iraqi smuggling via Iranian coastal waters. When US and Iranian warships pass close to each other, the crews exchange salutes. US and Iranian naval aircraft communicate to deal with navigation issues (who is flying where near each others warships.) It's almost as if the Iranian sailors and Islamic fundamentalists were from different countries. But the fact is, many Iranians, especially the middle class ones who supply most of the sailors for the navy, have relatives in America or other Western nations. The sailors want a change, and they are beginning wherever they can get away with it.