Talking to Iran

President Obama said today that talks with Iran in Geneva represented a "constructive beginning" but that "it must be followed with constructive action by the Iranian government."


The Geneva talks resulted in three announced decisions:

• Iran would open up the Qom enrichment site, still under construction, to international inspection.
  
• The P5+1 group and Iran would meet again within the month.
• Iran would coordinate with the IAEA the transfer of low enriched uranium from a research nuclear facility to a third country.

On the other hand, Politico quotes a senior U.S. official saying that four themes emerged in today’s P5+1 talks with Iran:

• The unity of the 5+1 group.
• The focus on the nuclear issue.
• The urgency of this intensive or what we hope will be an intensive diplomatic process.
• The need for Iran to take practical steps.

In the mean time, while it is notable that Israel's government toned down warnings of strike on Iran, several among the Israeli intelligentsia argue that there are mounting evidence which leaves no doubt about Iran’s nuclear intentions.