Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has indicated that the United States would enter into direct talks with Iran if Tehran agrees to suspend nuclear enrichment and reprocessing activities and that suspension is verified by the United Nations.
This marks a change in U.S. policy. The United States has not had direct talks with Iran since the taking of American hostages there by student militants in 1979.
Rice outlined the U.S. position by saying, 'To underscore our commitment to a diplomatic solution and to enhance prospects for success, as soon as Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, the United States will come to the table with our EU3 colleagues and meet with Iran's representatives.'
The other three nations presently involved in direct talks with Iran are Great Britain, France and Germany.
Iran, one of the world's largest oil producing nations, says that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. The United States and E.U. fear that Tehran will use the technology to build nuclear weapons.
The United States will also present a package of incentives to 'encourage' Iran from ending its nuclear program.
Rice said the decision remains with Iran. 'The negative choice is for the regime to maintain its current course, pursuing nuclear weapons in defiance of the international community and international obligations,' said Rice. 'If the regime does so, it will incur only great costs.'
What those costs may be was not fully disclosed. The United States is in a difficult situation with Iran since its military options and international credibility have been severely limited by the ongoing war in Iraq.
