In a genuine US-Iran dialogue, particularly one that builds upon mutually beneficial actions in Afghanistan, Obama would have valuable incentives to offer Iranian leaders if they agreed to forgo a nuclear weapons capability. They could have a guarantee of nuclear fuel supplies for peaceful uses, even a uranium enrichment facility on Iranian soil – provided it was outfitted with technology that prevented Iran from diverting what was produced there for use in a military program.Iranian policy makers might also obtain the equivalent of a no-regime-change guarantee from Washington. In return for ceasing to play the spoiler and divider in Lebanon, the Palestinian arena, and the Arab world generally, Iran could be included in regional organizations and have a say in commercial and security matters that affect its interests. In this way, Iran could follow a diplomatic path to the recognition it seeks as a major power in its region.
