A New Iran Overture, With Hot Dogs.

Having sent the Iranian people a video greeting on their New Year, President Obama is now inviting them to help celebrate a quintessentially American holiday, the Fourth of July. Last Friday, the State Department sent a cable to its embassies and consulates around the world notifying them that ''they may invite representatives from the government of Iran'' to their Independence Day celebrations -- annual receptions that typically feature hot dogs, red-white-and-blue bunting and some perfunctory remarks about the founding fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]