On working toward a deal

While far too many politicians and media figures (from both the Iranian camp and the Western camp) have gone out of their way to try to escalate conflict over Iran's nuclear power program, one of the countries with a veto over any UN sanctions is still pushing toward an agreed resolution:

During a visit to Iran, Rosatom chief Sergei Kiriyenko said resolving the persistent questions about the intent of Iran's nuclear program "within the framework of the IAEA is absolutely realistic," according to Russian news agencies...

Kiriyenko, who met Saturday with Atomic Energy Organization of Iran chief Gholamreza Aghazadeh, stressed that Iran has the right to a peaceful nuclear program but suggested Tehran must act to assure the world it is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

"The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is unacceptable and the international community must be certain that it does not occur under any circumstances," ITAR-Tass quoted Kiriyenko as saying.

"It is no doubt possible to satisfy these two demands."

As the article notes, any resolution will require Iran to accept that enrichment occur in Russia rather than on Iranian soil. But it should be obvious that there's little reason for Iran to make that type of concession if the only apparent gain to be made is a short delay in the U.S.' rush to create a new bogeyman.

Update: And the deal is done. Will that lead to any reduction in the rhetoric? Stay tuned...