Direct talks

If things keep going as they are going now, Iran is likely to have nuclear weapons sometime during the next decade. That is a truly chilling prospect if Iran continues to be ruled by fanatics committed to exporting Islamic revolution, destroying Israel and settling scores with the West.

Yet none of the strategies now being discussed internationally seem likely to get Iran to change course. The incentives that Europe can offer on its own appear too limited to tempt Iran into giving up its nuclear plans. The mild sanctions that seem to be the most Russia and China are willing to consider at this point are too painless to make much of an impression. And the few military options realistically available are likely to do more harm than good.

Washington’s current efforts to achieve a meaningful UN resolution do not seem to be getting anywhere. China and Russia still argue that diplomatic options are not exhausted. The only sanctions that stand a serious chance of moving Tehran would be a worldwide ban on

buying Iranian oil. It could be a lot easier to persuade Russia and China to enforce such a ban if US agreed to hold direct talks with Iran. Unless the Bush administration eases its stubborn opposition to direct talks, it is hard to see what is going to stop the eventual emergence of a nuclear-armed Iran. — The New York Times