Iran Willing to Resume Nuclear Talks: Expect Rope-a-Dope Diplomacy

James Phillips / October 11, 2010

Iran’s embattled regime Saturday announced that it is ready to resume talks about Iran’s illicit nuclear activities, which have triggered four rounds of U.N. sanctions. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that “We think late October or early November will be an appropriate date for the talks by the representatives of Iran and 5+1 countries,” (the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany). The U.N.-sponsored talks had stalled last October after Tehran rejected an offer to exchange some of its low enriched uranium stocks for more highly enriched uranium fuel for its research reactor.

The Obama Administration, like a jilted lover, immediately indicated its willingness to resume its diplomatic courtship: “If Iran is ready to hold talks, all they need to do is pick up the phone and set a date,” U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said. (more…)