Let’s Try That Diplomacy Thing…

TEHRAN—Iran threatened on Friday to block inspections of its nuclear sites if confronted by the U.N. Security Council over its atomic activities. Its hard-line president reaffirmed his country’s intention to produce nuclear energy.

The move came a day after France, Britain and Germany—backed by the United States—said that nuclear talks with Iran had reached a dead end after more than two years of acrimonious negotiations and the issue should be referred to the Security Council. | story.


Amid all the saber rattling, don’t miss the essential points of Truthdig’s Robert Scheer and Juan Cole: If we’re losing influence over Iran, it’s only because the Iraq war has empowered the Shiites in both countries to link arms against us. 

Haraz Ghanbari / AP

German Chancellor Angela Merkel answers a question as she and President Bush hold a joint press conference Jan. 13 in the East Room of the White House. Merkel is seeking to improve her country’s relations with Bush, buoyed by an emerging accord designed to halt Iran’s nuclear program.