Iran War: Probably Less Likely, At Least As It Seems Today
Today's news on the Iran negotiations front good for those less than eager for full-scale war over there:
A demand by the United States, France, Britain and Germany that Iran commit to a prolonged freeze on uranium enrichment has been softened to require only suspension during talks on an offer made by six countries Tuesday in a bid to defuse the standoff over Tehran's nuclear program, the diplomats said.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the Islamic republic would have to stop enriching uranium during negotiations but could resume after a deal was struck.
And while all the details of last week's incentives offer to Iran have not been made officially public,
some of the offer's contents have been leaked, revealed major concessions by the United States including an offer to join key European nations in providing some nuclear technology to Tehran if it stops enriching uranium, diplomats say.
Providing additional details, a diplomat said Wednesday that the package dangles the prospect of lifting an embargo on airplane parts and planes, letting Iran replenish its aging civilian fleet of Boeing and other planes.
I suspect that as long as the regime there remains unchanged and the threat of the 12th Imam looms, there will be loud and influential voices in America calling for a takedown of Tehran. But right this minute, a path to a face-saving settlement is visible. I wrote last week on the incentives for and against war in Iran.