IRAN LATEST – AT 8:52 A.M. ET:  Looks like a seven-month extension of the Iran nuclear talks is the goal.  Once again the appeasers seem to be in charge.  If we could not get Iran to budge up to now, why do we think the next seven months will be any different?  As we said last night, it's time to increase sanctions and make it clear that it's Iran that must make the needed concessions.  Since Obama refuses to do that, we might have the ultimate cave-in by our side yet.  From AP via Fox:

VIENNA – Elements are falling into place for an agreement to allow talks on Iran's nuclear program to continue another seven months, a well-placed Western diplomat said Monday.

The diplomat told The Associated Press that according to the deal, a broad agreement should be completed by March 1, with the final details worked out by July 1.

The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the confidential talks, is familiar with the discussions now taking place in Vienna on how to continue the negotiations past the original deal deadline of Monday midnight.

Their comments matched earlier word that negotiations had now turned two-track, with the sides still racing to reduce differences at the negotiating table but also working on how long to extend the talks.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif agreed Sunday to start discussion on the extension as it became clear that it would be hard to bridge the differences between them in the time before the deadline.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday negotiators were still having "consultations" on a final agreement that meets both U.S. demands for strict curbs on Tehran's nuclear program and Iran's push for sanctions relief, also suggesting that moves toward an immediate deal had not yet been abandoned.

International negotiators are worried that Iran is using its nuclear development program as a cover for developing nuclear weapons, and they have imposed economic sanctions on Tehran. Iran denies that, saying it is only interested in producing power.

COMMENT:  Yes, only power.  Iran must have a huge nuclear program, with some elements in hardened underground shells, to produce enough power to charge those iPads.  Sure, we understand.

Tehran must be laughing its head off.  They get another seven months of weapons development free of charge.   Negotiations that terminate next July would place an agreement outside the timelines of our 2016 election campaign, but just barely. 

We can fairly commend the Obamans for not caving in to get an agreement right now.  But I fear for the future.

November 24,  2014