Convergence on Iran

The NYT reports ('Europe and U.S. Agree on Carrot-and-Stick Approach to Iran') that the EU-3 are getting tougher while there is 'a statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice confirming that the United States, too, had shifted its position on Iran - in its case toward a more conciliatory approach'.

Ms. Rice said Mr. Bush would drop his objections to Iran's application to the World Trade Organization and would "consider, on a case-by-case basis, the licensing of spare parts of Iranian civilian aircraft."

See also the report from the BBC and this background of views. On BBC WS Friday night, a former Iranian ambassador now resident in the US said that the latest shift in the US position was a trap to lay the blame for a failure of negotiations at Iran's door.

Update (15 Mar): this was mostly foreshadowed in the NYT a couple of weeks ago - see here.