AP/CNN: "Rice: U.S. ready to talk with Iran on nuclear issue."

The United States is prepared to join other nations in holding direct talks with Iran on its nuclear program if Iran first agrees to stop disputed nuclear activities that the West fears could lead to a bomb, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday.

"To underscore our commitment to a diplomatic solution and to enhance prospects for success, as soon as Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, the United States will come to the table," Rice said in remarks prepared for delivery at the State Department.

The Swiss ambassador to the United States was called to the State Department earlier Wednesday to receive a copy of Rice's remarks for transmission to Iran, U.S. officials said. The United States has had no diplomatic ties with Iran and few contacts at all with its government since Islamic radicals took over the U.S. Embassy in 1979 and held diplomats there for more than a year.

Background here and here. I guess Hagel's office was mistaken about the press release. More from Reuters, and the Post. Transcript of Rice's remarks.

Update: From Chris Nelson:

Expect an announcement soon that the President has authorized Secretary of State Condi Rice to join directly in the EU-3 talks with Iran...under the condition that Iran agree to a verifiable halt to its uranium reprocessing activities.

Experts say not to expect Iran to immediately respond in the positive...in fact, it will likely be a strong negative. But they also predict that a counter-offer will come within days...basically throwing a “temporary suspension pending developments” offer onto the table.

The US moves and anticipated Iranian counter-moves come in the context of progress at the UN Security Council on a resolution with Chinese and Russian support which seems headed in the general direction desired by the US, but with the critical compromise that NO possible use of force would be authorized in the event of failure.

Still being negotiated, sources say, is whether the latest resolution would contain language also banning economic sanctions, as has been demanded by both Moscow and Beijing.

In any event, the US decision is seen as throwing the ball back into Iran’s court, after weeks of the US being seen as the stumbling block through its refusal to agree to direct talks.

Rice and other officials started calling key Capitol Hill and other players in Washington last night, and through the morning. Initial response is favorable, to quote one, “this will bring us into line with the EU-3 and put the onus on Iran to respond.”

That last clause is key. That Iran and not the US be seen as the stumbling block.

Posted by Laura at May 31, 2006 10:37 AM