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A deal with Iran over its nuclear program has been all but finalized for weeks and the ongoing diplomatic exchange between the major players is part of an elaborate “choreography,” according to some inside accounts.

Writing in the Washington Post, David Ignatius explains that “the basic framework [for a settlement] was set weeks ago” and that the U.S., Iran, and even Israel are “following the script.” According to Ignatius, the impending deal is that “Iran would agree to stop enriching uranium to the 20 percent level and to halt work at an underground facility near Qom built for higher enrichment. Iran would export its stockpile of highly enriched uranium for final processing to 20 percent, for use in medical isotopes.” “Iran is following the script,” writes Ignatius, and will “describe their actions not as concessions to the West but as ‘confidence-building’ measures,” while “ the West would describe its easing of sanctions not as a climb down but as ‘reciprocity.’” He calls the public “language of these talks” an “exercise.” On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the press that, as the U.S. and world powers negotiated with Iran, he thought Iran has been “given a freebie.” President Obama, while away at a conference in Latin America, almost immediately retorted, objecting to Netanyahu’s gripe. Ignatius says this exchange was “choreographed” to ensure Iranians are pressured to follow through... >>>