Ukraine casts pall over Iran nuclear talks
Ukraine casts pall over Iran nuclear talks – Israel Opinion, Ynetnews.
Analysis: Crimean crisis may interfere with US and Russian cooperation on preventing Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
Associated Press
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Tehran may have a new ally when Iran nuclear talks reconvene Tuesday – the Ukraine crisis. US-Russian tensions over Ukraine could fray the search for consensus on what Iran needs to do to ease fears it could make atomic arms.
Both Washington and Moscow are emphasizing that their commitment to eliminating any Iranian proliferation threat overrides their clash over Ukraine. But diplomats tell The Associated Press that Moscow and Washington are wide apart on how much Tehran needs to trim its nuclear program, a split that Iran could exploit.
In a more immediate sign of possible trouble ahead, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif cancelled a planned dinner Monday with the European Union’s foreign policy chief over her meetings with opposition activists in Iran earlier this month.
Foreign ministers from West and Iran after signing of Geneva Accords (Photo: AP)
Russian military vehicles in Crimea (Photo: Reuters)
Ahead of the resumption of the Vienna talks, US State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said she expects Russia to “remain an active partner” in the attempt to persuade Tehran to agree to long-term nuclear curbs in exchange for full sanctions relief.
A senior Russian diplomat said his country would work “actively” to reach a deal. He demanded anonymity because he did not have permission from Moscow to comment.
But former US nuclear negotiator Gary Samore says any superpower tensions will make Tehran feel “under much less pressure to make concessions.”
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WarSclerotic 
March 18, 2014 at 12:11 PM
And this is what Obama’s incompetence triggered in Israel
Ya’alon shifts stance, leans toward Israeli operation in Iran
http://www.madisdead.blogspot.co.il/2014/03/yaalon-shifts-stance-leans-toward.html
March 18, 2014 at 3:22 PM
It is what it is. Israel has little or no leverage in the talks with Iran. They’ve been shoved aside in virtually everything the Obama administration is trying to accomplish in the Mideast. Now it seems decisions are being made on Israel’s behalf without their input or approval. Now you have another clown named John Kerry slicing up your country like it was a fresh baked pizza.
Frankly, I’m surprised Israel has not taken action on it’s own behalf sooner. It certainly is time. I don’t necessarily mean an full frontal attack on Iran. What I mean is a new stance for Israel. A threatening one if I may. One that stands in the face of opposition from a position of strength and tells the world what it intends to do regardless of the ramifications from the press and other so-called allies.
Speak your mind Israel. Stand tall and, yes, threaten those SOB’s in Iran, disrupt their shipping, and whatever else you feel compelled to do. On it’s present course, Iran WILL get the N bomb. You can bet on it. So what’s crazier?…being ‘nice’ with a future of living under nuclear threat or being just plain nuts living under a hostile media and threats of foreign aid cuts? Stop, I know what you’re thinking…there is no in between.
I’m not going to pretend I know what’s best for Israel, not like Wingate who pretends he knows what’s best for my country. Only Israel knows what’s best for Israel and I think you guys already know the answer and the painful truth that surrounds it.
March 18, 2014 at 3:24 PM
Indeed. That’s what Yaalon is saying.