Washington weighing new approach on Iran

AFP:

The United States is studying ways to support talks between three European countries and Iran over Tehran's alleged plans to develop nuclear weapons, the White House spokesman said Monday.

"We support the efforts by the European three to get Iran to abandon any nuclear weapons," Scott McClellan told reporters. McClellan did not confirm a Washington Post report Monday that Washington was considering offering incentives to Iran in exchange for giving up nuclear plans.

The new willingness comes after President George W. Bush's talks with German and French leaders in Europe last week and a meeting with key cabinet members and Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday, the Post said.

Incentives under consideration by the United States include eventual membership of the World Trade Organization and facilitation of Iran's efforts to obtain spare parts for its ageing passenger airplane fleet, the Post said.

"The president spent a good portion of his time in Europe talking with our European friends about Iran and listening to their ideas," McClellan said.

"There's no final decision at this point," he said. Regarding WTO membership, McClellan only noted that "That's one of the ideas that the Europeans have talked publicly about."