ANOTHER round of international talks have taken place in Istanbul between Iranian nuclear officials and leaders of countries seeking to curtail the program. Talks, of course, are always good. But despite the numerous discussions that have taken place over the last few years, the two sides still seem to be as far apart as when they started. Western negotiators came to Istanbul believing that they held an upper hand this time because the increasing number of sanctions placed on Iran have settled in and are creating problems for the Iranian economy. That may have been on Western minds, but there is no hint that the Iranians brought the issue with them. Iran remained defiant, continuing to refuse even to consider placing curbs of any kind on its uranium enrichment program. There has also been some indications that the Iranians have decided that there can be no serious negotiations on its nuclear program until all sanctions are lifted, a move the international community is not likely to entertain without significant concessions from Iran. And it is the suspension of the enrichment program that the West would be most likely to seek as a basic concession. There are numerous venues for uranium enrichment around the world, so if Iran is truly determined to exploit its nuclear program solely for peaceful purposes, it would readily acquiesce to this one international demand. Iran would have nothing to lose and a lot to gain by making the concession as it would likely be met with a reduction of some of the most onerous sanctions. By not agreeing to suspend its enrichment program, Tehran looks only as if it is determined to enrich enough uranium to create viable nuclear weapons. No one needs another nuclear power in the Middle East, and Iran's apparent quest to become one is anathema to all those in the region and around the world, as well. Iran should rejoin the international community of nations and halt what will ultimately be a self-destructive obsession with nuclear armaments. __
