nuclear-news

Some respect entering in USA-Iran practical talks

Silver lining in Iran nuclear talks, Asia Times Online By Kaveh L Afrasiabi 27 June 12 Despite the deadlock at last week’s talks in Moscow between Iran and world powers on the former’s nuclear ambitions, it seems not all hope is lost.

The glimmer of progress lies in the support building for a technical agreement on a nuclear fuel swap, which is the subject of a technical follow-on meeting for July 3 in Istanbul, as well as in improved confidence-building measures between the US and Iran.

Talk of a “diplomatic window closing” on Iran is also a thing of the
past. This was reflected in a joint statement by US President Barack
Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin after a meeting on June 20
in Mexico, which emphasized the importance
of a “phased” approach to resolving the Iran nuclear standoff.

However, the Iranian press has been critical of the stingy response
from Western governments to Iran’s nuclear offers at the talks. A
report by the International Crisis Group has also criticized the
West’s counter-offers to Iran as “ungenerous.”

Irrespective of the shortcomings of their diplomatic approach, the US
and its Western allies are inching towards a better understanding of
the Iranian perspective and the country’s outlook on nuclear and
regional issues. Over time, its likely this could contribute towards a
deal that would represent a qualitative breakthrough, and signal the
West’s preparedness to avoid further conflict with the Islamic
Republic of Iran. This despite a flare-up of contrary rhetoric from
the French socialist government, which last week warned of stiffer
sanctions against Iran. …
ran’s soft power diplomacy has also been moved forward by Tehran as
its hammers home the point that it was the other side’s rigid approach
that blocked a deal in Moscow. In essence, the West is now on the
defensive and faces a tough time justifying its present course of
action against Iran, particularly in a divided Europe that has much to
lose from rising oil prices in the event of escalated tensions over
Iran’s nuclear program. …
With respect to Tehran-Washington dialogue, there is now a fairly
solid understanding between the two sides that no major deal will be
struck until after the US presidential elections in November. Until
then, the best and most feasible and mutually-agreed course of action
is to keep the lines of negotiation open, no matter how skeletal,
since this will have a disproportionate impact in staving off a
military strike on Iran and giving a new lease of life to diplomacy.
… http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/NF27Ak03.html

June 30, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics international, USA