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Last update - 00:07 20/07/2008 Choose negotiation or isolation, U.S. tells Iran after nuke talks By Reuters and The Associated Press Tags: nuclear talks, Iran, U.S. The United States said on Saturday after inconclusive international talks with Iran's nuclear envoy that Tehran must choose between cooperation or confrontation and give up sensitive nuclear work. "We hope the Iranian people understand that their leaders need to make a choice between cooperation, which would bring benefits to all, and confrontation, which can only lead to further isolation," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack after the Geneva talks attended for the first time by senior U.S. diplomat William Burns. He said Burns did not meet separately with any member of the Iranian delegation and that EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told Iran it must give a "clear answer" to an offer made by world powers within two weeks. Advertisement Iran's chief negotiator Saeed Jalili ruled out discussion of a major powers' demand to suspend uranium enrichment as a precondition to end a long-running dispute over Tehran's nuclear program. Jalili said that in any next round of talks Iran was not ready to discuss a freeze in enrichment proposed by the sextet in return for the UN Security Council halting further sanctions measures. "We will only discuss common points of the package," Jalili told Reuters. Solana said the talks with Jalili, had been substantive and constructive. "Iran had an opportunity to get engaged with the international community," he said. Asked whether Tehran would face a new round of the U.N. Security Council sanctions that analysts say are already beginning to bite on its economy, he told a news conference: "There is nothing more to talk about. The Iranians are running the risk of foreclosing their options," said one diplomat in Geneva, warning they risked "going down the path which means further measures in the EU and the UN." Solana said he hoped for more contacts with Iran "telephonically or physically", but officials made clear that any subsequent contacts would be at a lower level than Saturday's talks. The enrichment issue is key because the activity can produce either fuel for nuclear power stations or the material used in the fissile core of warheads. Iran has defied three sets of UN sanctions demanding it cease its program, saying it has a right to its peaceful uses under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. But there is growing concern the Islamic Republic might want to build nuclear weapons instead. Recent Iranian statements suggest Tehran is looking to improve ties with the United States, with officials speaking positively of deliberations by the U.S. administration to open an interests section - an informal diplomatic presence - in Tehran after closing its embassy decades ago. Although the U.S. says the Geneva talks focus only on the nuclear issue, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Friday they could also result in agreements to open a U.S. interest-protection bureau and have direct flights between the two nations. U.S. interests in Iran are now represented by the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. Iran and the United States broke off diplomatic relations after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and hostage crisis at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. Official contacts between the two countries are extremely rare. The United States and its five partners - Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany - remain committed to getting a full halt to Iranian enrichment. Still, Burns' decision to attend the Geneva talks shows that Washington may accept freeze-for-freeze - something less than full suspension - at least as a first step. Freeze-for-freeze envisions a six-week commitment from both sides. Preliminary talks meant to lead to formal nuclear negotiations would start, Iran could continue enrichment but only at its present level, and the U.S. and its allies would stop pushing for new UN sanctions. If this results in the start of formal talks, the Iranians would stop all enrichment temporarily. Those talks, in turn, are meant to secure Tehran's commitment for an indefinite ban on enrichment. A Western diplomat described the atmosphere of Saturday's talks as "fine," but confirmed that the Iranians were unwilling to address suspending uranium enrichment, or freezing it at current levels. "They are looking more at substantive issues that would be addressed in full negotiations," the official said. Jalili also spoke of his "positive intentions" as he arrived in Geneva on Friday for the talks with the so-called sextet. Related articles: Essential things Israelis and Iranians should know about each other Ahmadinejad: Israel and U.S. won't dare attack Iran (2006) New chapter, old saga Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Icon of evil' Hitler icons take center stage at Jerusalem students' end-of-year art show. Caught on film Human rights group releases video of IDF soldier shooting Palestinian at short range.   1.   Pounding against stone wall 17:17  |  Brod 19/07/08   2.   Excellent. 17:45  |  17 19/07/08   3.   Nuclear free mideast or else leave Iran alone 17:49  |  Natallie Durson 19/07/08   4.   israel is like a rat 18:03  |  a brainwashed person 19/07/08   5.   US should stick the rest of its body in the sand........ 18:24  |  Iran=MentalPatient 19/07/08   6.   Iran doinf the sidestep its time to bomb their nuke facilities 18:27  |  Kipperraes 19/07/08   7.   Lets all rather wait for a formal annoucement. 18:33  |  Stephen. 19/07/08   8.   Go Iran,go!Don`t be bullied & intimidated by the barbarians of 18:34  |  lakshmi 19/07/08   9.   For Brod # 1 18:35  |  Clickfool 19/07/08   10.   to natalie 18:35  |  concerned 19/07/08   11.   Iran 18:45  |  John 19/07/08   12.   Brod from USA 19:05  |  Espart 19/07/08   13.   4, Durson, what will you say when Long Beach CA has a container 19:19  |  The Equalizer 19/07/08   14.   To Brod on rationality and irrationality 19:27  |  Mark B. 19/07/08   15.   Talks With Iran An Exercise in Futility 19:42  |  Dan 19/07/08   16.   The Foolish Game of Double Standards 19:53  |  Cool B 19/07/08   17.   # 11 John 20:02  |  17 19/07/08   18.   Iran has taken a strategic decision to become a nuclear power 20:26  |  Clickfool 19/07/08   19.   Brod, you talking about rationality is like David Duke... 20:30  |  ManintheMiddle 19/07/08   20.   To Mark B. and Clickfool 20:32  |  Eli 19/07/08   21.   Iraq vs Iran Sanctions 20:32  |  Tranquilizer 19/07/08   22.   Need some "saber rattling" to get oil price back up 21:04  |  Voice of Reason 19/07/08   23.   No doubt: Iran is winning this battle 21:09  |  Rising Crescent 19/07/08   24.   Natalie, with your help, watch for the mushroom cloud over LA 21:26  |  Mahdi ibn-Hussein 19/07/08   25.   Big Difference btw Confrontation & Isolation 21:30  |  Tranquilizer 19/07/08   26.   #21 Tranquilizer 21:41  |  ballistic 19/07/08   27.   #24 Iranian 21:43  |  ballistic 19/07/08   28.   #19 Eli 21:47  |  Mark B. 19/07/08   29.   ISRAEL`S NUKES 21:52  |  Neutered Observer 19/07/08   30.   #19 Eli (2) 21:52  |  Mark B. 19/07/08   31.   The problem with Clickie`s thesis (#18) 21:57  |  Morris Valentine 19/07/08   32.   Tranquilizer on iranian domestic production of goods 22:12  |  Johnny 19/07/08   33.   Isolation from Who? 22:37  |  Billie 19/07/08   34.   Day of reckoning is closer than you think... 22:48  |  Cy 19/07/08   35.   U.S. to Iran: Choose negotiation or isolation. 22:58  |  martin list, m.d. 19/07/08   36.   Iranians target audience are Muslims not the west 23:04  |  ScotGuy 19/07/08   37.   To "A Brainwashed Person" 23:17  |  GZLives 19/07/08   38.   Isolation? 23:31  |  R 19/07/08   39.   Ask for what we really want 23:41  |  losman 19/07/08   40.   Iran has the right 00:09  |  christa 20/07/08   41.   Israel will get its war with Iran 00:15  |  John 20/07/08   42.   Eli. Iran is threatening those who are threatening her. 00:17  |  ManintheMiddle 20/07/08   43.   #26, Ballistic 00:45  |  JTA 20/07/08   44.   3 Points 01:10  |  ID 20/07/08   45.   Why do Russia and China support the UN sanctions? 01:51  |  oetis 20/07/08   46.   #.27. oetis. Your question is relevant. 02:04  |  Stephen. 20/07/08   47.   To "concerened" 03:01  |  Cyrus the Great 20/07/08   48.   Proving Mel Gibson right...??? 03:15  |  jc 20/07/08   49.   #3 Durson...how about those... 03:21  |  Pastor Joseph 20/07/08   50.   #9 teh clickFOOL wants to become an Iranian citizen 03:22  |  Pastor Joseph 20/07/08   51.   To #17 03:24  |  Cyrus the Great 20/07/08   52.   #14 mark b. a blind mice...the other two... 03:25  |  Pastor Joseph 20/07/08   53.   is it just me? 03:50  |  natan 20/07/08   54.   Mark B. # 27 _ My Post Did Not Cite Ahmadinejad 04:10  |  Eli 20/07/08   55.   RE#40, "Why do Russia and China 04:23  |  JTA 20/07/08   56.   "Isolation" Old News - Use the neutron bomb already! 04:51  |  Ethan 20/07/08   57.   #1- Brod 04:54  |  yezmar 20/07/08   58.   The Onus of Proof is on the one Making the Claim. 05:34  |  Reader 20/07/08   59.   mv31, Israel never was a threat to Iran? 05:47  |  Reader 20/07/08   60.   Mark B. # 28 _ I Am Surprised By Your Uninteligable Post 07:01  |  Eli 20/07/08   61.   To Edmonton (#59) 23:30  |  Morris Valentine 20/07/08   62.   Morris Valentine # 61 _ Wonderful Post. I Am Still Laughing 00:00  |  Eli 21/07/08   63.   mv61, Iran Threatens Retaliation for an Israeli Attack 05:15  |  Reader 21/07/08   64.   mv61, Israel is Miserable At Avoiding Civilian Casualties 05:56  |  Reader 21/07/08   65.   mv61, The Best Way for Israel to Avoid a Retaliatory Attack… 06:18  |  Reader 21/07/08   66.   To British North American (#63) 07:48  |  Morris Valentine 21/07/08

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