U.S. Officials Say Iran Has Agreed to Nuclear Talks
Iran and the US have agreed for the first time to one-on-one negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, setting the stage for what could be a last-ditch diplomatic effort to avert a military strike on Iran. The Obama administration has been participating in highly intense, secret exchanges with Iranian officials since the beginning of President Obama’s term. The news of the agreement comes at a critical moment in the US, just two weeks before the presidential election.
The news has the potential to help Mr. Obama to make the case that his foreign policy has succeeded in paving the way to a diplomatic breakthrough in a decade long effort by the world’s major powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iranian officials have insisted that the talks take place after the presidential election, to ensure they know with whom they are negotiating. With all the bluster being tossed about by Romney regarding entering a war with Iran, were I Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, I would be doing everything I could to insure Obama’s reelection.
It isn’t clear whether Mitt Romney would agree to the negotiations if elected president. Mr. Romney has repeatedly criticized the president as showing weakness on Iran and failing to stand firmly with Israel against the Iranian nuclear threat. He has been pushing for a stronger approach to the Iran problem and has been very vocal about supporting the idea of military action.
Iran just may have handed the election to President Obama. It is certainly something to consider.
Of course, whether the negotiations would ever take place is in question. Iran has a history of agreeing to talks only to buy time and renege on their promises.
Interestingly, the third and final presidential debate will focus on foreign policy…