1979 Redux

Iranian "students" attacked the British embassy in Tehran. What could possibly go wrong with that?

Like it or not, Mr. Blair, you may have a real honest-to-God war on your hands.

Update: It looks as though Mr. Blair is about to go into full Jimmy Carter mode. From the Sunday Telegraph:

The Sunday Telegraph has learnt of plans to send a Royal Navy captain or commodore to Tehran, as a special envoy of the Government, to deliver a public assurance that officials hope will end the diplomatic standoff.

The move, which was discussed at a meeting of Whitehall's Cobra crisis committee yesterday, came as Downing Street officials explicitly cautioned against hopes of a speedy outcome and said that families of the hostages should prepare for the "long haul".

The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and the Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, have been warned that the impasse may develop into a long-term stand-off. Privately, officials are speculating that the crisis could continue for months.

Good old gambler's logic: It didn't work the last time, so it's bound to this time.

Update: The Captain's Quarters on how EU membership has prevented Britain from even imposing trade sanctions on the Mullahs.