He just has to hit on the right mix of concessions to the mullahs and — hey, presto!
From The Evening Standard, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
Tony Blair said today the next 48 hours are crucial in negotiating the release of the British hostages.
The Prime Minister’s comments came as a new picture of the hostages was released by an Iranian news agency. He told Iran the “door is open” to a diplomatic deal.
Mr Blair was responding to comments by a key player in the Iranian government who had raised hopes by referring to secret talks going on between his foreign ministry and the Foreign Office.
Iran’s chief negotiator Dr Ali Larijani stressed such moves were at an early stage but added: “If they continue on this path, they can change the situation logically.”
Referring to Dr Larijani’s comments, Mr Blair said: “The next 48 hours will be fairly critical.”
He said Dr Larijani had offered the prospect of an end to the crisis. “If they want to resolve this in a diplomatic way the door is open,” said Mr Blair.