Tough choice:

Amid global concern about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Russia’s delivery of nuclear fuel rods to the Islamic Republic might seem alarming on its face. Yet the move is unlikely to increase the danger that Iran will develop nuclear weapons. The fuel for the Russian-built Bushehr reactor will be under International Atomic Energy Agency controls, and the depleted rods will be returned to Russia.

Despite outside criticism, Russia has, in its own way, stayed within an international consensus that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Iran’s attempt to link final payments for Bushehr to a Russian veto of Security Council sanctions on Iran only provoked Putin. But now that payments for Bushehr are being made and nuclear fuel rods are being delivered from Russia, the stage may be set for a deal.

Iran could be guaranteed a supply of nuclear fuel for civilian power plants in exchange for stopping efforts to enrich uranium that it could eventually use in nuclear weapons. The time has come for Bush to present Iran with America’s best offer, not only for internationally guaranteed nuclear fuel but also for security and economic integration into the global economy. Iran’s theocrats can have nuclear power, security, and prosperity, or they can have their own source of enriched uranium. Not both. — The Boston Globe