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Obama Offers Iran an Opening on Engagement

(Washington Post) David Ignatius - President Obama put the issue of negotiating with Iran firmly back on the table Wednesday. "It is very important to put before the Iranians a clear set of steps that we would consider sufficient to show that they are not pursuing nuclear weapons," Obama said, adding: "They should know what they can say 'yes' to." As in the past, he left open the possibility that the U.S. would accept a deal that allows Iran to maintain its civilian nuclear program, so long as Iran provides "confidence-building measures" to verify that it is not building a bomb. Why is Obama talking engagement with Iran when many analysts are debating the growing risks of a military confrontation? Administration officials cite two factors: First, the sanctions against Iran are beginning to bite, making Tehran potentially more interested in dialogue; and second, U.S. intelligence reports indicate that the Iranians have had technical troubles in their nuclear-enrichment program - which allows more time for diplomacy. A senior official said that only 3,800 centrifuges were now operating at Natanz, at only about 60% of their design capacity, with another 4,000 in reserve to cope with breakdowns. The White House chose an unusual way to send its signals to Tehran. A small group of journalists was invited to a "background session" on Iran policy and the briefer turned out to be Obama. What came through in Obama's upbeat presentation was the administration's view that for all Tehran's bombast, the U.S. and its allies have the upper hand.
2010-08-05 08:17:48
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