More Belgian Waffles, Please

That's apparently what Tehran ordered before beginning talks with the EU over it's weapons program. It also looks like they will be served a heaping plateful as Brussels' spine gives way. The EU appears to be signaling that they may be willing to drop the threat of sanctions if Tehran promises to maybe, possibly, kind of stop enrichment activity someday or other. Perhaps.

The discussions between Javier Solana and Ali Larijani, Tehran's top nuclear negotiator, at the Austrian chancellor's office in Vienna were meant to see if common ground could be found for negotiations between six world powers and Iran over its nuclear defiance.

While the five permanent Security Council members and Germany have demanded that Iran fully freeze enrichment as a condition for the talks, Tehran has steadfastly refused to do so.

But the game posts appeared to be shifting slightly as the two men sat down at the Renaissance manor housing the Austrian government leadership's offices.

European officials, who requested anonymity in exchange for sharing confidential information, told The Associated Press that at least some of the six nations were potentially ready to consider resuming negotiations without an Iranian commitment to an immediate enrichment freeze — if Tehran committed to such a move sometime soon after the start of negotiations with them.

The officials did not provide details. But such readiness would deal a blow to U.S.-led attempts to hold fast to the demand that Iran freeze enrichment before any talks commence — or face the prospect of Security Council sanctions.

Negotiations only work when both sides are dealing in good faith. In this case it may well be that neither party is. The EU is willing to preemptively give up the one thing that might get Tehran's attention and anyone who thinks Tehran is acting in good faith is out of touch with reality. All those good intentions busily paving away.