There is little doubt that Tehran will reject the offer since it crosses its red line – suspension of enrichment – but the question is why such an offer is being made at this time, even though reinvigorating talks is in and of itself much needed.

The nuclear offer coincides with an escalation of rhetoric between Washington and Tehran over allegations of Iranian meddling in Iraq. Following several stark comments by high-ranking U.S. military officials, the new buzz in the beltway is that Iran "is killing American soldiers" – a clear casus belli if proven true.