Barack Obama has displayed extraordinary flexibility in his approach to Iran's nuclear programme. He has supported Iran's "right to a peaceful nuclear energy programme", declared his willingness to meet unconditionally and extended his own deadlines for Iran to begin serious negotiations. He has maintained that position despite Iran's bellicose rhetoric and despite congressional pressure for sanctions.
Although it has produced no positive response from Tehran, the Obama administration's flexibility has clearly demonstrated that the obstacle to resolving the Iranian nuclear issue is not a US refusal to negotiate. Even under the Bush administration, the US participated regularly in multilateral talks with Iran. But if there was any ambiguity about the previous administration's willingness to negotiate, there has been none whatsoever about the Obama administration.
