Tehran invited (BBC) foreign diplomats from China, Russia, and several European Union countries to tour some of their nuclear facilities, including installations at Natanz and Bushehr. However, the United States was excluded from the group of invitees. The US State Department, which has been leading the charge for economic sanctions against the regime, dismissed the gesture (WSJ) as a "ploy" designed to divide the international community. US and European diplomats have expressed fear that Iran may try to use diplomacy to forestall more economic sanctions while it continues to push forward with uranium enrichment. A spokesman for Tehran reiterated the strictly "peaceful" nature of the nuclear program (Reuters) and claimed the latest invitation was a signal of "goodwill" and a willingness to cooperate with the international community. In addition, Iran expressed its desire to host the official visit prior to the next round of talks in Istanbul this month, but European officials said the invitation was not likely to be honored (NYT), if at all, until after the negotiations are completed.

Analysis:

This Foreign Affairs article discusses the dangers of a nuclear Iran and the limits of containment policy.

Abbas Milani of ForeignPolicy.com details the rich history behind Iran's current nuclear ambitions and why the United States' denuclearization drive isn't working.

Background:

View an interactive timeline that explores the history of US-Iran relations.