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Washington and Tel Aviv, of course, know Tehran's nuclear program is legal and peaceful. Admitting it would undermine their anti-Iranian agenda. Oren added that Israel doesn't "think Iran should be rewarded with direct talks." Sanctions and "other pressures".must be increased."
An unnamed US official said possible direct talks explain why more P5+1 discussions haven't been scheduled.
On October 21, Reuters headlined "Iran, like US, denies plan for one-on-one nuclear talks," saying:
"Iran followed the United States on Sunday in denying that the two countries had scheduled direct bilateral negotiations on Iran's controversial nuclear program."Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said, "We don't have any discussions or negotiations with America." Nuclear "talks are ongoing with the P5+1 group of nations. Other than that, we have no discussions with the United States."
He expects more talks in late November. According to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Aston's spokesman, "(W)e hope that we will pick up discussions soon, but there is no date at the moment."
Press TV reported "Russia (is) ready to mediate US-Iran talks." It's also ready to help initiate them. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said, "If somebody asks us to help establish direct (Washington/Tehran) dialogue, we are ready to help" get it started.
Obama's been back and forth on this several times. It's unclear where he stands now. Reelection is prioritized. Doing so requires acting tough on Iran. Shifting from isolating Tehran to more normal relations isn't likely.
Given longstanding regime change plans, neither party will tolerate it. Alleged Iranian obstinacy will be blamed. Tehran prefers normal relations with all countries. Washington makes it impossible. So does Israel.
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