UN Fails To Act

A European diplomat, speaking anonymously, says that a European delegation will meet with Iran in a "last ditch" effort to avoid UN sanctions.

VIENNA, Austria – Key European nations will meet with Iran in September in a last-ditch effort to seek a negotiated solution to the standoff over Tehran's refusal to freeze uranium enrichment, a senior U.N. diplomat said Thursday.

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because his information was confidential, said the U.N. Security Council will await the results of that meeting before acting on sanctions.

That may have been the last chance to avoid a confrontation. Had the UN Security Council actually lived up to its word and started applying sanctions, Iran may have blinked.

Now Tehran knows the UN has done so. Not at all a smart move.