Waiting On Iran
Still no word on what Iran's long-promised response will be to the UN-backed package of incentives. Early indications are that Iran will reject the halting of enrichment. The Washington Post is reporting a flat rejection of the precondition.
Tehran reiterated Tuesday its intention to meet its self-imposed deadline later Tuesday to reply to the package. The official Iranian News Agency said it would deliver its response at 4 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. EDT).
Tehran was expected to give its answer on the package to European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who delivered it in June.
A top Iranian nuclear official said Tehran's response will provide "an exceptional opportunity" for a return to the negotiating table for a compromise.
"Iran's response to the package is a comprehensive reply that can open the way for resumption of talks for a final agreement," Mohammed Saeedi, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said in comments published Tuesday.
Even so, Iran on Monday twice showed its determination to push ahead with its nuclear program, which continues under the possible threat of economic and diplomatic sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security council if it does not halt uranium enrichment by Aug. 31.
It is highly unlikely that Iran will abandon this program unless the Western countries are willing to begin imposing sanctions.
