...the Bush administration sent a message through the Swiss government assuring Iran that during the military operation the US government would respect Iran's territorial integrity and its airspace. More importantly the Swiss carried the US request that Iran assist those Americans who maybe shot down, escape into or are forced to land on the Iranian territory. Within 24 hours on October 8 the Swiss intermediaries carried back a prompt and positive response from the Iranian government. The Iranians agreed to rescue any American military personnel who landed on their territory and was "in distress".
What this probably means is that Iran will tacitly allow us to use their airspace on a case by case basis. The only way the Islamic wacko-on-the-street would know is if somehow one of our pilots was shot down.
Now they have a built-in "humanitarian" explanation in the unlikely event that might occur.
It also sets up Iran's old nemesis for a nice pincer move down the road. Remember how Iran allowed Iraq to stash fighter jets during the Gulf War? Bush II isn't making the same mistake as Bush I by leaving Iran out of the coalition.