Mixed Messages from Iran 09/08/2009
Saeed Jalili, Iran's Top Nuclear Negotiator (who apparently buttons his collar even when not wearing a tie), With President Ahmadinejad
September 2nd:
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, announced that Tehran has prepared a new package of proposals for the 5+1 group (Permanent UN Security Council Members + Germany) on the nuclear stalemate. "The Islamic Republic of Iran...is ready for cooperation to address shared concerns in the international arena," Jalili told reporters.
September 8th:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defiantly declared the nuclear talks "finished." "We will never negotiate on the Iranian nation's obvious rights," said Ahmadinejad. Instead, he asked the 5+1 group to wait for forthcoming Iranian proposals on "the main challenges facing humanity."
In my opinion, Iran has no intention of engaging in good-faith talks. The September 23 deadline (the start of the UN Grand Assembly meeting) for talks is approaching. If Iran snubs the U.S., then the Obama Administration will be under tremendous pressure to retaliate somehow- or else appear weak. The problem is, a military strike is foolhardy, and sanctions, which Iran is already preparing for, won't work. A nuclear Iran is politically unpalatable, but is, in my opinion, the most likely eventual outcome.
- Jon
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, announced that Tehran has prepared a new package of proposals for the 5+1 group (Permanent UN Security Council Members + Germany) on the nuclear stalemate. "The Islamic Republic of Iran...is ready for cooperation to address shared concerns in the international arena," Jalili told reporters.
September 8th:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defiantly declared the nuclear talks "finished." "We will never negotiate on the Iranian nation's obvious rights," said Ahmadinejad. Instead, he asked the 5+1 group to wait for forthcoming Iranian proposals on "the main challenges facing humanity."
In my opinion, Iran has no intention of engaging in good-faith talks. The September 23 deadline (the start of the UN Grand Assembly meeting) for talks is approaching. If Iran snubs the U.S., then the Obama Administration will be under tremendous pressure to retaliate somehow- or else appear weak. The problem is, a military strike is foolhardy, and sanctions, which Iran is already preparing for, won't work. A nuclear Iran is politically unpalatable, but is, in my opinion, the most likely eventual outcome.
- Jon
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