Nuclear dialogue

The talks in Vienna are both an opportunity and a risk. On the one hand they could lead to a solution to the crisis over Iran's nuclear program, on the other hand there is a danger that the negotiations kick-started recently in Geneva could lead to yet another dead end.

The proposal up for discussion acutally sounds quite sensible. Under this plan, Iran would hand over enriched uranium to Russia or France for further processing which Iran would then use in its research reactors or for medical purposes. Tehran came up with this idea in Geneva and - if successful - it would benefit both sides. Iran would be delivering its own enriched uranium and the international community would guarantee Iran the peaceful use of nuclear technology, which is its right as a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty.

This type of process would help to break down barriers and mistrust on both sides. It would help to allay Western fears that Iran is secretly building nuclear weapons and it would assuage Iraninan concerns that the international community is trying to prevent Tehran from pursuing a peaceful nuclear program. One crucial difference is that the United States has entered into direct talks with Iran, thereby adding more weight to the proposals on the table.

However, other barriers remain. Iran says the United States and Britain were behind the weekend's suicide bomb attack on members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard in the restive Sistan-Baluchestan province, even though a local Sunni group called Jundallah, or soldiers of God, claimed responsibility. The group's headquarters are in Pakistan and there are persistent rumors that it enjoys US support as part of former President George W. Bush's strategy to destabilize Iran's power structures.

It's hard to imagine President Barack Obama continuing with this policy not least because it would scupper his plans of entering into constructive talks with Iran. Tehran's intial reaction has been to dismiss Obama's approach and there is a real danger that a tentative dialogue could be nipped in the bud.

Washington and its allies have already condemned and distanced themselves from the terrorist attacks. More than ever the international community needs to grab the initiative, otherwise the talks in Vienna could be the last for a very long time.

Peter Philipp is Deutsche Welle's Middle East expert (rm)
Editor: Chuck Penfold