Recent negotiations between the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Russia, and the European Union, as represented by the High Representative Javier Solana led to a statement on Iran.
The group of countries and the EU remain united in pressing Iran to comply with its international obligations on its nuclear program. They have serious concerns about Iran’s lack of compliance to date, particularly on the unanswered questions about the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program.
The dual track of engagement and pressure are to be used to persuade Iran to comply with its obligations. Secretary Clinton said that Iran will be pressured to “come to the talks on October 1st, ready to engage in serious and substantive discussions with a sense of urgency and a review of the practical steps that need to be taken on the nuclear issue.”
Based on the meeting’s outcome, the group will decide the next steps. The ball is now in Iran’s court.
Secretary Clinton responded to the question “[W]hat specifically do you need to see from Iran after this talk for them to avoid consequences? When you say you want a clear indication of their intentions, what do you need to see?
“Well, I will speak for myself and for our Administration. As we have said consistently, we want to see a serious effort by Iran to discuss the nuclear issue, which we are putting on the table, as we have made clear in this statement. And we are also looking for Iran to recognize that they are at a turning point. They have a choice to make. We have consistently said that Iran is entitled to peaceful nuclear power. They are not entitled to a nuclear weapons program. They do have rights, which we are willing to respect and recognize. But they also have responsibilities.
And as we set forth in this agreement, the serious concerns of the international community have been set out in five separate Security Council resolutions. So it is time for Iran to engage with the international community – this process is set up to do that – and for them to accept the opinion of the international community as referenced in this statement that they need to make clear their nuclear program, invite the IAEA in to see everything, and work toward peaceful nuclear energy that can be verified and completely accepted by the international community.”
