Editorial: Iran still doesn’t get it

Friday, June 2, 2006 | 7:19 a.m.

Iranian leaders have warily accepted the concept of the United States joining European talks on Iran's nuclear program but stubbornly have rejected a U.S. condition that Iran stop its uranium enrichment and nuclear fuel reprocessing efforts before such talks could begin.

It was a slap in the face for the Bush administration, which has worked diligently with the United States' European allies in hammering out conditions under which the United States would negotiate directly with Iranian leaders. Those conditions call for Iran to cease the nuclear processing programs that the United States and European nations believe is a secret effort to develop atomic weapons.

Bush said Thursday he favors a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the situation, and his efforts in seeking to reconcile the United States' demands with the European Union and be a part of joint negotiations is a positive step. For once, the Bush administration isn't flying solo in dealing with a global issue.

But despite this good-faith overture by the U.S., we don't have much faith that Iranian officials are going to comply. It is no surprise that leaders in Tehran rejected the condition that they suspend Iran's nuclear program. Iran's leadership hasn't shown much appetite for rational international discourse, what with its president repeatedly calling for the annihilation of Israel.

Bush said that if Iranian leaders "continue their obstinance" then there will be no negotiations involving the United States, and he will ask the United Nations Security Council to intervene. Though this situation would best be addressed through diplomatic negotiations, Iran has yet to demonstrate that it is a nation led by those who value reason.