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Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government has finally made a proposal that the rest of the world is ready to work with. The Iranian suggestion on how to start talks has been accepted by Barack Obama's administration, fulfilling a campaign pledge to talk to Iran without pre-conditions.

Iran's proposal ignored the on-going nuclear dispute, but spoke of entering "negotiations in order to lay the groundwork for lasting peace" with the US and five other world powers. The White House was very blunt, saying that even if Iran has ignored the nuclear issue, the Americans will certainly raise it. And even Iran seems willing to compromise, with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki telling Iranian state television this week that "if the conditions are right, there is a possibility of talks about the nuclear issue with the West".