New deadline for Iran’s nuke response

Eager to reclaim the timetable for nuclear negotiations, the U.S. and other European countries today pushed through a Security Council resolution demanding that Iran cease enrichment by August 31 or face sanctions. Iran had for some weeks successfully stalled on negotiations over its nuclear program, announcing last week that it would reply to the package ...

Eager to reclaim the timetable for nuclear negotiations, the U.S. and other European countries today pushed through a Security Council resolution demanding that Iran cease enrichment by August 31 or face sanctions. Iran had for some weeks successfully stalled on negotiations over its nuclear program, announcing last week that it would reply to the package of nuclear incentives by August 22. But it's unlikely the Islamic Republic will look kindly on this new deadline. Yesterday, Iran warned that it would reject the incentives package immediately if the UN resolution was passed, and there's worry that Iran will now quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. With many in Iran convinced that Israel's assault on Hezbollah is simply a proxy war by the U.S. to undercut Tehran's influence in the region, expect more bluster before the summer is up. 

Eager to reclaim the timetable for nuclear negotiations, the U.S. and other European countries today pushed through a Security Council resolution demanding that Iran cease enrichment by August 31 or face sanctions. Iran had for some weeks successfully stalled on negotiations over its nuclear program, announcing last week that it would reply to the package of nuclear incentives by August 22. But it's unlikely the Islamic Republic will look kindly on this new deadline. Yesterday, Iran warned that it would reject the incentives package immediately if the UN resolution was passed, and there's worry that Iran will now quit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. With many in Iran convinced that Israel's assault on Hezbollah is simply a proxy war by the U.S. to undercut Tehran's influence in the region, expect more bluster before the summer is up. 

Carolyn O'Hara is a senior editor at Foreign Policy.

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