Once again there are signs of a possible breakthrough in the impasse between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the West over its nuclear program.  The EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Iran's top international negotiator Ali Larijani have agreed to meet on April 25th in a fresh attempt to break the deadlock over Tehran's nuclear enrichment activities.  Mr. Larijani was quoted as saying to Mr. Solana: "While Iran keeps its obvious right in developing a peaceful nuclear program, it is always ready to have constructive negotiations with other parties."  As we have mentioned before in this page, in order for these talks to succeed both sides have to be willing to compromise on their stances.  Tehran should be willing to suspend enrichment activities even if it is for a limited time period, and the United States should be willing to put aside the military option for a time as well. These confidence building measures are needed to rebuild the trust that has been lost and will give negotiations a real chance to succeed.  We hope the talks between Mr. Solana and Mr. Larijani bear fruit before the end of May which is the deadline set by the UN Security Council for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment or face tougher sanctions. 

On the situations in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran as whole has played a positive role in promoting reconstruction and stability.  Although there have been recent indications that some weapons and explosives from Iran have made their way to these countries, it has become evident that these actions have been committed by certain radical elements within the IRGC only.  Therefore the moderate forces in the Islamic Republic should continue their efforts along with the governments of Iraq and Afghanistan to stem the violence and promote peace and security in these countries.  This is for the benefit of the entire region.  In light of this a conference on Iraq been planned for May 3-4 in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, and is set to bring together foreign ministers of Iraq's neighbors and major world powers.  Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki is expected to hold talks with his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari in Tehran before announcing Iran's position on attending this conference, and we hope that the outcome will be positive.  Moreover US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will attend the conference and has not ruled out holding talks with Mr. Mottaki.