“Iran continues to supply weapons to the besieged regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, which subverted the Security Council’s peace initiative. And don’t expect any muffling of Iran’s long-standing and poisonous anti-Zionism.

Perhaps Mr. Ban entertains a hope that he can single-handedly persuade Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to end their quest for nuclear weapons. That assumes that the United Nations leader has more clout than anyone else who has tried. We’re told that Mr. Ban sees this as a crucial moment for a diplomatic last-ditch effort. But it doesn’t seem even remotely likely to succeed.

More likely, Mr. Ban will be forced to endure public lectures from the Iranian leaders about their right to enrich uranium, and rants threatening to wipe Israel off the map. If he shows up — he has not yet announced plans to attend, but sources say he is determined to go — will Mr. Ban then stand up and object? To his credit, Mr. Ban has in the past forcefully lectured Mr. Ahmadinejad about adhering to Security Council resolutions. But if he does so again, will Iran or anyone in the Non-aligned Movement be listening? Probably not.”

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