Is Iran the cause of the inverted yield curve in the US?

First, Bush administration officials puzzled over Americans' pessimism in the face of strong economic performance. Now the financial markets, which limped into the New Year, seem to be giving the president the same treatment. In economic terms, 2005 was about as good as it gets. US gross domestic product growth will probably come in between 3.5% to 4%. Job creation has been quite high and the economy has weathered hurricanes and high energy prices as well. But how have the markets responded to all that good news? At least lately, long-term interest rates have headed south and equity mark...