Biden: ‘Less Than Even Shot’ of Nuclear Deal with Iran

Vice President Joe Biden said on Saturday there was a “less than even shot” of a nuclear deal with Iran, but that was still worth pursuing.

Biden made the comments during a forum on Middle East at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank. He also rejected calls for more sanctions against Tehran while the negotiations continue.

Biden said despite tactical disagreements with Israel over Iran’s nuclear program, the U.S. remained fully dedicated to Israel’s security.

“We will not let Iran acquire nuclear weapon – period,” Biden said. “End of discussion. Not on our watch.” (Reuters, 6 December)

Iran-U.S. Direct Talks Possible If Americans Show Good Intentions - Iran FM

Signs of Progress Toward Direct Negotiations to End Conflict

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, attending the annual Munich Security Conference, told Euronews that direct talks with the U.S. could be held if Iran is convinced of good intentions of the Americans.

“This negotiation can only take place when we get enough assurances that, this time, the U.S. comes forward with honest intentions. Because our previous experiences unfortunately have shown the opposite,” Salehi said. (Euronews, 3 February)

Salehi made the remarks in response to Vice President Joe Biden’s speech at the Munich conference offering Iran direct talks aimed at ending the standoff over its nuclear program.

Biden’s offer and Salehi’s response are the strongest signs yet that Iran and the US could restart direct negotiations to end a decade of conflict over Iran’s nuclear program.

Photo: A still image of Salehi’s interview with Euronews by IRNA. Munich, 3 February 2013.  

Biden Offers Iran Direct Talks

Vice President Joe Biden has offered Iran direct talks aimed at ending the diplomatic standoff over its nuclear program, Deutsche Welle reported today. Biden made his remarks today at the Munich Security Conference.

“The ball is in the government of Iran's court. It is well past time for Iran to adopt a serious good-faith approach to negotiations,” Biden said. “Abandon the illicit nuclear program and your support for terrorism and there will be meaningful incentives.” (DW, 2 February)

Biden also said Washington was open to holding bilateral talks, but Iran had to offer a real agenda and not talks for the sake of talks.

“That offer stands, but it must be real,” Biden said. “There has to be an agenda that they are not just prepared to do it for the exercise.”

Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle urged Tehran to take Washington up on its offer.

“Iran should not wait any longer to take up the willingness Vice President Biden has stressed to hold substantial negotiations on its nuclear program,” Westerwelle said. “From our point of view, announcing an accelerated expansion of uranium enrichment in Iran is the wrong signal,” he added. (DW)

Photo credit: Vice President Joe Biden at the Munich Security Conference. 2 February 2013. (Picture alliance/dpa/Deutsche Welle)

Biden in Israel

Vice President Joe Biden today began a visit to Israel and the west Bank. Biden assured Israelis that Washington would close ranks against threat from a nuclear Iran.

"I can promise the Israeli people that we will confront, as allies, any security challenge it will face. A nuclear-armed Iran would constitute a threat not only to Israel -- it would also constitute a threat to the United States," Biden said in an interview with Israel’s largest circulation newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.

Biden will meet Palestinian leaders in the West Bank on Wednesday.

Biden on Iran Nuclear Program

Vice President Joe Biden said Israel has a sovereign right to take military action to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

“Israel can determine for itself as a sovereign nation what is in its best interest,” Biden said. “If the Netanyahu government decides to take a course of action different than the one being pursued now, that is their sovereign right to do that. That is not our choice.”

Biden made the remarks in an interview with ABC’s “This Week” taped in Iraq and broadcast today.

Biden also said that a US offer to meet with Iran about its nuclear program remains “on the table.”

“We’re not rushing to sit down,” Biden said. “We need to wait to see how this sort of settles out.” Still, he said, if Iranian leaders “seek to engage, we will engage.”

Israel Will Not Attack Iran – Press TV

Press TV reported on Vice President Joe Biden’s interview with CNN on the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Biden said he did not think that Israel would strike Iran. Press TV headline read, “Israel will not attack Iran.” [Press TV, 8 April]

Media is portraying Biden’s comments as a rift in US-Israeli positions toward Iran. Earlier this month, the media widely reported on General Petraeus’ comments on the possibility of an Israeli attack to halt Iran’s nuclear program.

The conservative Quds daily said Israel was waging a psychological war to “blackmail” the US to counter President Obama’s attempt to calm the region. [Quds, 8 April]