Talks with Iran

On October 19th, Iran went to a meeting in Vienna held by the International Atomic Energy Agency with France, Russian, and US officials. Iran and the other countries discussed a plan that deals with the enrichment of Iran's uranium. In these talks the IAEA and the countries devised a plan that would allow Iran to send its uranium to be enriched to Russia, and after enriching the uranium Russia would send it to France who would convert the uranium into special fuel rods (The Times, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6888029.ece) . This allows Iran to have the necessary enriched uranium for a reactor but not enough to build a nuclear weapon. Iran was expected to reply to this plan by Friday, October 23rd. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton believed that Iran should act quickly and not delay with these deals. She also hoped that these talks and future talks will improve the relationship between Iran and the United States. But recently Iran delayed its response on this proposed IAEA plan. Instead of approving this plan, Iran created its own plan. Iran proposed that it will be allowed for Iran to purchase enriched uranium from other countries. Stalling this agreement with the IAEA could hinder future talks with Iran. Is the way the United States is negotiating with Iran constructive? It is a nice start that US is open to talks with Iran, allowing a new period of engagement with Iran. But as Iran is delaying responses to its nuclear program, it is putting a strain on the US gradually building its trust with Iran. Currently, Iran is delaying plans on its nuclear program, which is making the negotiating process even longer. There needs to be a slight alteration in the US strategy on negotiations with Iran. The US cannot continue its current course of negotiations when Iran is delaying time. Being negative towards Iran will not help the current situation, but being too open towards Iran would not help the situation either.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/10/19/world/international-uk-iran-nuclear-fuel.html?_r=1&ref=global-home
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8318258.stm