(TIME) Tony Karon - Western diplomats have been struggling since last December to get Tehran to commit to a time and place for a new round of nuclear talks they had hoped to hold on Jan. 15. Iran is playing hard to get because its decision makers reportedly believe Iran faces no imminent threat of military action, and are confident in their ability to absorb the impact of further sanctions. Former State Department non-proliferation official Mark Fitzpatrick noted that "It's a misperception that Iran is on the ropes and...sanctions have driven them to the negotiating table." He added that the concessions Iran is demanding up front are beyond what the Obama Administration will be willing to grant, and he feared that Iran's reluctance to talk will strengthen calls for a military response.
2013-01-24 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive