Clinton to Iran: “You first.”

Hillary Clinton gave her first press conference at the State Department today, and she used the opportunity to talk about Iran. Yesterday, President Barack Obama told Al Arabiya, "if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us." Clinton followed up on Obama’s sentiments today, telling reporters: ...

Hillary Clinton gave her first press conference at the State Department today, and she used the opportunity to talk about Iran. Yesterday, President Barack Obama told Al Arabiya, "if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us." Clinton followed up on Obama's sentiments today, telling reporters: There is a clear opportunity for the Iranians, as the president expressed in his interview, to demonstrate some willingness to engage meaningfully with the international community," Clinton told reporters. "Whether or not that hand becomes less clenched is really up to them."It's not exactly offerings to meet the Iranians "without preconditions," but neither is it a continuation of the Bush policy that Iran must meet all the demands that we would put forth before we will begin even low-level talks...about possible negotiations. Might the Iranians be slightly receptive to this American thaw? With presidential elections there in June, the chances that Ahmadinejad finds his moderate voice are low; he gains very little from accommodation with the United States. Time will tell.

Hillary Clinton gave her first press conference at the State Department today, and she used the opportunity to talk about Iran. Yesterday, President Barack Obama told Al Arabiya, "if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us." Clinton followed up on Obama’s sentiments today, telling reporters:

There is a clear opportunity for the Iranians, as the president expressed in his interview, to demonstrate some willingness to engage meaningfully with the international community," Clinton told reporters. "Whether or not that hand becomes less clenched is really up to them."

It’s not exactly offerings to meet the Iranians "without preconditions," but neither is it a continuation of the Bush policy that Iran must meet all the demands that we would put forth before we will begin even low-level talks…about possible negotiations. Might the Iranians be slightly receptive to this American thaw? With presidential elections there in June, the chances that Ahmadinejad finds his moderate voice are low; he gains very little from accommodation with the United States. Time will tell.

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