The Bush administration reversed course Wednesday and announced a willingness to take part in direct talks with Iran over its nuclear program, but only if Iran agreed to suspend its uranium enrichment activities.
Iran called the offer "a propaganda move," and many U.S. and allied officials acknowledged that Tehran may reject the central U.S. precondition for talks. But if Tehran spurns the offer, U.S. officials hope that would draw leading world powers together in agreeing to impose painful economic sanctions on Tehran.
"Iran now faces a clear choice," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said. "This is the last excuse."
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