Iran Dithers

Associated Press is reporting that Iran hasn't accepted--nor has it rejected--the plan negotiated in Vienna to have its uranium enriched for medical use in France or Russia. The Iranians instead propose that they be allowed to purchase the enriched uranium.

There are two ways to look at this reaction: as a haggle or a stall.

The Iranians, who will argue with decreasing credibility that they remain within the nuclear non-proliferation guidelines, may be negotiating for a better deal. That would fit the regional bazari way of doing business. Or, as neoconservatives will no doubt assert, they are buying time to enrich enough uranium in order to present the world with a nuclear fait accompli.

It seems to me that the next step is quiet diplomacy, especially by the Russians and the French. The Iranians have to be made to understand that this deal--which their own negotiators brought home--is a threshold agreement: if they can't buy into to this very tentative step, there won't be any hope for more comprehensive talks. Stiffer sanctions will be likely, when the deadline rolls around in December.

I suspect that the appropriate attitude by the Obama Administration should be chilly, measured disappointment. No screeching, but a clear message that we are prepared to move toward a policy of enhanced sanctions, containment and deterrence if the Iranians don't stop playing games.

Update: Now the Iranians are saying they haven't decided and will make a statement next week. The more we see of this government, especially since the June elections, the more you have to wonder who, if anyone, is in charge.