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Iranian Nuclear Talks Need to Come to a Close
(Washington Post) Editorial - As the year begins, the Obama administration and its diplomatic partners are expecting the renewal of negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, after a six-month hiatus. But there is scant indication that a breakthrough is in store. The international coalition intends to offer a slightly modified version of the deal Tehran rejected last June. But Iran has been slow to agree to a new meeting and, according to the New York Times, did not respond to a post-election feeler by the Obama administration on direct, bilateral talks. The coalition proposal would require a freeze in the enrichment of uranium to a level of 20% and shutting down the Fordow underground facility where that enrichment takes place. Iran would also be required to ship its current stockpile of medium-enriched uranium out of the country. In return, it would receive certain economic concessions and perhaps a partial relaxation of some sanctions. The U.S. - and more so Israel - cannot easily wait many more months for a deal. If Iran continues to enrich uranium to 20% at its present rate, it may acquire enough to quickly make a bomb by the middle of this year, potentially giving it the "breakout capacity" that both President Obama and the Israeli government have vowed to prevent.