US willing to offer Iran ‘reversible sanctions relief’ in exchange for ‘first steps’ on nuclear program
( Obama must be betting that Netanyahu is bluffing. He may be right. If he isn’t, the war should begin shortly. God help us. – JW )
11/06/2013 21:04
GENEVA – The United States wants Iran to agree in negotiations this week a “first step” that stops its nuclear program advancing further and starts reversing parts of it, a senior administration official said on Wednesday.
In return for such a move, Washington would be willing to offer Iran “very limited, temporary, reversible sanctions relief,” the official said, giving no detail on what those measures might be.
The US official was speaking on the eve of the two-day talks between Iran and six world powers in Geneva that seek to build on a diplomatic opening created by the election of relatively moderate Hassan Rouhani as Iran’s new president in June.
“What we’re looking for is a first phase, a first step, an initial understanding that stops Iran’s nuclear program from moving forward and rolls it back for first time in decades,” the official told reporters.
This phase must involve levels of Iran’s uranium enrichment, its stockpiles of the material as well as international monitoring, the official said.
“We’re looking for ways to put additional time on the clock,” the administration official added.
Such a first step by Tehran, which denies seeking the capability to make nuclear weapons, would create space for further negotiations on a comprehensive settlement, the official said.
Iran says it is enriching uranium for peaceful energy and medical purposes only. But its refusal to curb sensitive nuclear activity that can also have military applications has drawn sanctions, damaging its oil-dependent economy.
WarSclerotic 
November 6, 2013 at 10:19 PM
There will be no war!
November 6, 2013 at 10:49 PM
But, Netanyau is getting hung out to flap in the wind….
November 6, 2013 at 11:47 PM
Why is it so difficult to understand that the Iranian Twelvers are really looking forward to a nuclear war and that if Netanyahu does not preempt and attack the Iranian nuclear sites the Iranians will eventually attack Israel with nukes regardless of the Israeli nukes. The Iranians cannot be deterred! MAD is dead!
November 7, 2013 at 12:21 AM
There will be NO WAR!!!!
November 6, 2013 at 11:02 PM
The window of opportunity is beginning to close.
November 6, 2013 at 11:26 PM
I don’t think Obama believes Netanyahu is bluffing. I think his regime knows what’s coming and can’t stop trying to deceive the American public. Hell, they’ve lied about everything for 5 years now!
I just think he’s following his Islamic tendencies more openly in his second term. And he’s doing what he thinks will make Israel’s situation as difficult as possible both before and after any military strike.
November 6, 2013 at 11:32 PM
@MarkUrban01: A senior Nato figure has told me about intel reports saying nukes made for #Saudi by #Pakistan sit awaiting delivery. More on #Newsnight
Unreal.
November 6, 2013 at 11:32 PM
I’ll need to watch newsnight tonight then
November 7, 2013 at 12:30 AM
MAJOR news
Saudi nuclear weapons ‘on order’ from Pakistan
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24823846
November 7, 2013 at 3:18 AM
This is looking pretty grim. Stay safe JW.
November 7, 2013 at 3:14 AM
How ironic. Obama was preaching nuclear disarmament to the American people while his cluster f#ck foreign policy was causing a nuclear arms race in the Mideast. This whole situation is screaming for a confrontation with Iran.