Iran running out of options: US

herald sun ^ | 7/10/06 | From correspondents in Washington

[Flavius]

THE US State Department's number three diplomat Nicholas Burns overnight said Iran "miscalcuated" by trying to drive a wedge between the United States and its allies, and threatened UN action if Tehran fails to heed international concerns over its nuclear program.

"The Iranians miscalculated. They thought they could divide the United States from our European allies and Russia and China, but we've been able to craft a united coalition of all those countries," Mr Burns told NBC television.

"They have to choose - negotiations with us, or further action in the security council," Mr Burns said.

He said: "Frankly, I think they're rather cornered and isolated. There are very few countries defending them and they're running out of options."

"We think this policy of patient diplomacy and crafting multilateral coalitions to tighten the pressure on them is going to work, and it's the right way to go clearly for the United States," Mr Burns said.

Tehran is facing mounting international pressure to give a clear answer before the Group of Eight (G8) summit from July 15-17 on an offer of incentives from world powers in return for suspending uranium enrichment activities.

Iran said overnight it will take until the second half of August to respond to the international package, which was drawn up by the five permanent Security Council members plus Germany and presented to Iran on June 6.

[photodawg]

He said: "Frankly, I think they're rather cornered and isolated. There are very few countries defending them and they're running out of options."

"We think this policy of patient diplomacy and crafting multilateral coalitions to tighten the pressure on them is going to work, and it's the right way to go clearly for the United States," Mr Burns said.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

What is this fool talking about. Iran will use these negotiations as a delaying tactic and continue developing nukes. The sanctions from the oil consuming security council, will be trumped by the oil producing muslim opec states. We have no teeth, thats why we are talking these people to death. They understand our weakness, thats why they continue to defy us.

[humint]

"The Iranians miscalculated. They thought they could divide the United States from our European allies and Russia and China, but we've been able to craft a united coalition of all those countries," Mr Burns told NBC television.

Burns has appears to have transferred his own rational thinking to his Iranian counterparts when they may be opearting on a different equation. Even if their equation is different the Iranians may still have miscalculated. Not all of the leadership in Tehran has as deep a faith as Ahmadinejad. If Ahmadinejad likens himself to Imam Husayn, the more the odds are stacked against him, the more righteous he and his crew become.

Regardless, there is no better way to proceed than Burn’s approach. He and his team have done an incredible job under incredibly difficult circumstances. There is no doubt that they turned the tide on the Iranians.

[Socratic]

"They have to choose - negotiations with us, or further action in the security council," Mr Burns said.

Ooooooo, I bet they're afraid.

[goldstategop]

The Iranians need to cry "Uncle." But I doubt they will. So we'll see an Israeli strike again Iran; the only open question is whether its a massive conventional or a nuclear attack. Either way, it will make short work of the Iranian mullahs' dreams to incinerate Israel with the bomb.

(The Palestinian terrorist regime is the crisis and Israel's fist is the answer.)

[greasepaint]

Bush needs a big ole can of ....
STFU

[untrained skeptic]

Tehran is facing mounting international pressure to give a clear answer before the Group of Eight (G8) summit from July 15-17 on an offer of incentives from world powers in return for suspending uranium enrichment activities.

I suspect that if this is the best deal Iran believes it can negotiate, it will agree and once again continue it's nuclear program covertly. I also suspect that the usual suspects will once again use this as an opportunity to make a fortune to sell illicit technology and materials.

[Gunny P]

some cheese and crackers accompanied by a "tasting" of
"Ole Whoop-Ass F-16" will work. Maybe even some "Chateau de Eagle".
Face it, big beeatch that it be, when hook comes to jab...BE A WINNER.

[nuke rocketeer]

[AmericanChef]

Oh, look - Iran has changed the response date once more: from July to August! And not a blink from any of our fine diplomats. "Yes, sir, whatever you say sir, let us bend over a little bit more to accommodate you, sir!" Sickening.