US Rescue Team in Iran Becomes the New Face of Detente

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UNLIKE THE other camps in the international compound at Bam, no flag flutters above the United States base. Instead a modest Stars and Stripes is attached primly to the roof of a tent.

Swarms of journalists milled about but a distinctly apolitical spin is being put on a seminal moment: the first US government presence in Iran since Shah Reza Pahlavi was toppled in favour of Ayatollah Khomeini 25 years ago.

"I don't know anything about politics, I'm just here to try and save some people. I help people at home and now I want to help people here. I feel very sad for them and I want to do them some good," said Craig Luecke, wearing the dark blue uniform and …