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Time for diplomacy with Iran

Defusing nuclear tension with Tehran.   Behind warlike rhetoric, the signs are that sanctions have been effective: the time is ripe for renewed diplomacy with Iran  Johan Bergenäs guardian.co.uk,   19 August 2010 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, said Wednesday that talks about his country’s nuclear programme will not take place “under the shadow” of threats. The United States and other countries should grasp this opportunity, rein in the rhetoric of military action and return to talks with Iran without delay. The time is ripe to take steps towards a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear conundrum.

Previous diplomatic efforts with Iran failed because the United States was not at the table and because Iran seemed immune to outside pressure and did not have much to gain by talking to Europe alone. Now, the circumstances are fundamentally improved. Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, who is expected to spearhead prospective talks between major powers and Iran, still needs more than a favourable climate for successful negotiations. To find a solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff, the US needs to be ready to offer Iran a security assurance; and other countries must be willing to go beyond the current set of economic sanctions if Tehran continues to violate nonproliferation rules.

Defusing nuclear tension with Tehran | Johan Bergenäs | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk

August 21, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear weapons