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Subscribe to RSSMUNICH - The United States is ready for direct talks with Iran if it is serious about negotiations, Vice President Joe Biden said late Saturday, backing bilateral contact many see as crucial to easing a dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.
Speaking at a security conference in Munich, Biden said Iran - which says it is enriching uranium for peaceful energy only - now faced "the most robust sanctions in history" meant to ensure it does not develop nuclear weapons.
"But we have also made clear that Iran's leaders need not sentence their people to economic deprivation and international isolation," Biden said. "There is still time, there is still space for diplomacy backed by pressure to succeed. The ball is in the government of Iran's court."
To date, fitful talks on Iran's nuclear program have been between Tehran and the EU's top diplomat representing six world powers including Washington. But analysts have suggested that with his re-election behind him, President Barack Obama might have more leeway to take on direct negotiations with Iran.
That makes the year ahead critical for chances of overcoming a stand-off which, if left to fester further, could see Iran approach nuclear weapons capability, possibly provoking military action by Israel that could inflame the Middle East.
Progress on Iran would also help ease regional tensions as the United States prepares to pull most combat troops out of Iran's neighbor Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
Asked whether Washington might consider direct talks with Iran to smooth the process, Biden said, "When the Iranian leadership, Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei), is serious.
"We have made it clear at the outset that we would be prepared to meet bilaterally with the Iranian leadership, we would not make it a secret that we were doing that, we would let our partners know if that occasion presented itself.
"That offer stands, but it must be real and tangible and there has to be an agenda that they are prepared to speak to. We are not just prepared to do it for the exercise."
Negotiations with Iran have so far been overseen by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on behalf of France, Britain, Germany, China, Russia and the United States. But they have made scant headway, raising fears Iran is simply playing for time while it develops nuclear know-how.
Many believe no deal is possible without a U.S.-Iranian thaw, requiring direct talks addressing myriad sources of mutual mistrust and hostility lingering since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution and the hostage crisis at the U.S. embassy in Tehran.
Iran has avoided direct, public talks with the United States, though some suggest Tehran would eventually welcome an opportunity to end its international isolation.
Speaking at a news conference in Munich, Republican Senator John McCain said he would have no objection to direct talks but questioned how much these would achieve if fundamental questions over Iran's nuclear program remained unresolved.
"I don't know when we will have direct talks between the United States and Iran. That is a subject for the president of the United States. I don't think anyone here objects to that," he said. But he added, "to have grounds for optimism, I think, would be a mistake."
Israel, which describes the prospect of Iran being able to weaponize enriched uranium as an existential threat, has made clear it would be ready to bomb the nuclear sites of its arch-enemy to prevent that outcome. The United States has also said it would not rule out the use of military force.
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Oh yes Biden you and Obama set up some talks with Imanutjob. We know they are so interested in talking with the US on their quest for peaceful nuclear power. Let's just spend your next four years talking with them ok. I know they would just respect you guys so much for doing so. Your right we have had these same talks in the past and they lasted all of a few hours but da*m you got so much accomplished. I'm sure you can get just as much accomplished on these talks. The only honest thing about Imanutjob is the fact that he is laughing at what idiot's were elected to run this country and the morons who elected them.
Rah13
i agree but when the obama admin. said essentiallly nothing during the uprisings over there the people of iran's fate was sealed. obama seems to have a strong opinion on matters from the cambridge police acting stupidly to catholic churches need to provide contraceptives to gun control. but nothing on this matter- he trots out biden to float the trial balloon so its not him saying it. doesnt matter its his administration, time for him to demand assurance from iran regarding the development of weapons grade uranium in exchange for being part of the global community.
The Council On Foreign Relations is working overtime to provoke a conflict along with it's lackey The US Government.
The whole thing is BS.
"Peace in our time", Declared Chamberlain, as he waved the peace accords recently signed by both he and Hitler. Thus delivering Europe from the Nazi threat. All England had to do was agree to allow Germany to cede Sudetenland (Now the Czech Republic). America took little note - how can this affect the US? We are an ocean away from this. The so called Third Reich is of no consequence.
"Peace in our time", Declares Obama, as he struts down the ramp from Air-force One waving his peace accords recently signed by both he and the Mullahs. All the US had to do was agree to lift sanctions so Iran can build it's nuke. America takes little note - how can this affect us, this is an Israel / Middle East problem.
Are Obama / Biden / McCain Nuts?
As nutty as a squirrel turd, I'm afraid.
Well it sounds like a nuclear armed Iran is a given. They will allow their citizens to wallow in anguish, and the citizens will rally around the challenge.
This fight is not with the people of Iran, nor was it with the people of Iraq, nor the people of Afghanistan. Precisely the opposite. It is with the governments.
We know where the bunkers are. We could take them our fairly quickly.
Pinpoint strikes at the nuclear enriching sites. Take out the air force. Drop in a quick BDA team to assess how deep the bunkers are and if any remain, then clean up any leftovers with a subsequent strike.
Could take a few days drop the Air Force. We could get this done in about a week.
But then we would have to rebuild the damn place. Or would we?
Like I said - with some unnoticed at length setup I may add:
We're only bombing the nuclear enrichment sites. No rebuilding necessary.
When told a million jews were killed in a nuclear attack by Iran, Obama replied "We'll wait until they show us they're serious."
How about a link to your bullsh*t quote?
Talks with Iran? Sounds like something "Bite Me"[Biden] would come up with. I would dearly like to be there, when he talks to that little stone-age Weasel.
Personally, I think the Weasel is a dead man walking. Israel is getting close to turning that little beady-eyed creep into radioactive atoms!!
Mark my words.
A catholic, a jew, and a Muslim walk into a bar. Bartender says "What'll ya have"
The catholic orders sacramental wine
The jew orders a kosher vodka
The muslim orders a komacasi
The word is Kamikaze
Biden is the 2nd in command idiot who thinks those ragheads want to deal with USA.... They are playing us and the world while they continue to build a nuke...
I guess DC will get the message when a nuke falls on USA... Hopefully it's in DC and take out all of the morans...
Don...
The Secret Service and FBI frown on that sort of posting....
I am certain Lefty has something very clever and intellectual to add.....NOT!
It's not wise to try to talk your way out of a nuclear gun fight...
Lefty is hoping for reincarnation...wonder what he was before he died?
Lefty keeps trolling along
you've made a lot of comments how about something on the economy, deficits, debt, entitlement solvency, the house having to pass a bill to get the senate to work on a budget etc etc
Lefty keeps trolling along
how about a comment on the economy,deficits, debt, entitlement solvency, senate budget etc etc?
Wonder if Biden will laugh throughout the nuclear weapons debate with the Iranians...
say what?-809562, you seem to be all over this stuff how about a cmt on the economy, deficit, debt, entitlement solvency, senate passing a budget etc etc?
Are you the Newsvine police?
no just like to see a little substance to go along with your cmts on republicans.
And Lefty keeps trolling along....
And Lefty keeps trolling along....
sir, do you have anything of substance to say?
guess not
Are you the Newsvine Police?
And Lefty keeps trolling along....
And Lefty keeps trolling along....and yet he still only has 18 posts this page, way off his better efforts.
substance? guess not.
And Lefty keeps trolling along....AND HE IS UP TO 23 POSTS!
Go, Lefty, Go!
And Lefty keeps trolling along....
And Lefty keeps trolling along....only got to 24 last page, already at 4 this one....talking to itself!
And that makes 5!.... I know he is reading mine...but NO ONE is reading his! LOL!
Keep trolling Lefty! #6