World Notes IRAN

After eight years of haggling, Iranian and American negotiators have tentatively agreed to settle some of the financial claims dating from the overthrow of the Shah's government. The package covers 2,370 small claims by U.S. citizens and companies for private property seized in Iran, and 108 by Iranians for undelivered goods.

The obvious question about the deal was whether it had any connection with the release of two American hostages in Lebanon last month or the prospect of future releases. Washington and Tehran both said no, and it seems the U.S. will receive far more in payments -- $105 million, vs. only about $400,000 for Tehran. Some $3.5 billion in Iranian assets remain frozen.

Indirectly, of course, Tehran gets a boost. Settlements of this sort will help President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani ease his country back into the trade and economic relationships it so badly needs with the rest of the world. And if he cares to regard it as evidence that a conciliatory approach to the U.S. pays off, all the better.