Hillary Rodham Clinton will create a new State Dept. post for outreach to Iran, reports my friend Eli Lake in his debut as the Washington Times’ national-security correspondent:

A State Department official said the idea of naming a senior Iranian outreach coordinator was broached in the first transition meetings with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mr. Obama’s choice for secretary of state, and her transition team earlier this month.

"The idea is that the position should build on the existing diplomatic framework," the official said. He asked not to be named because a nominee has not been announced.

Lake says that they’re considering a career diplomat for the post. I can think of at least two Leveretts who fit the bill. Also? Just saying? Maybe not a bad job for Zalmay Khalilzad, the rather talented diplomat whom Bush sent to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United Nations.

Update: Amb. James Dobbins is another good, qualified candidate.