Hillary Clinton, in her first congressional testimony since becoming secretary of state, commented, "We actually believe that by following the diplomatic path we are on, we gain credibility and influence with a number of nations who would have to participate in order to make the sanctions regime as tight and as crippling as we would want it to be."^[1] Clinton states outright that the Obama administration is not trying to negotiate seriously with Iran over its nuclear weapons. Instead it is an attempt to make sure that the rest of the world is onside when they break off negotiations.

1. ^ Shahir Shahidsaless, White House miscalculations linger, Asia Times Online, 28/4/2009 http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KD28Ak02.html

The Military has been denying claims made by Iran that they can block the straits of Hormuz, a vital transit route for tankers bringing oil and gas from the Gulf for the west of the world. So long as the military downplays Iran’s ability to strike back they make the possibility of striking at Iran more likely.

Even George Bush's administration recognised that Iran was able to strike back against US interests around the Middle East. Bush did not allow overflight for Israel over Iraq because Iran could destabalise Iraq and could use Hizbulla against Israel. The US recognises that although Iran might not be able to close the straits they can disrupt it, this alone would be enough to cause a very large increase in the price of oil around the world. Both Iran and the US know that Iran cant take the US on in conventional warfare, it is the more unconventional war, such as possible suicide bombings, support of militants throughout the region and the very threat to oil supplies where Iran has deterrance.^[1]

1. ^ How Iran would retaliate if it comes to war, June 20th 2008, Christian Science Monitor, http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0620/p07s04-wome.html?page=2

Dennis Ross is a hawk on Iran and has been made special adviser on the Gulf and Southwest Asia, essentially meaning Iran. He has been making an empire at the state department to make sure that he has complete control over the issue. “Everything we've seen indicates that Ross has completely taken over the issue," says a key Iran specialist. "He's acting as if he's the guy. Wherever you go at State, they tell you, 'You've gotta go through Dennis.'"^[1] Ross has in the past argued that preventive military action might be necessary, and that this should be done alongside Israel. He believes that Diplomacy with Iran will fail, begging the question of why someone who has made up his mind on Iran should be advising a president who wants to keep his mind open. Perhaps he is simply there to be a devils advocate but empire building makes this unlikely.

1. ^ Robert Dreyfuss, Dennis Ross’ Iran Plan, The Nation, 4th April 2009, http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090427/dreyfuss?rel=hp_currently

Energy is however still a sticking point simply because it is an area where US sanctions can do real damage that hurts the Iranian regime. Obama is unlikely to give up this weapon in any attempts to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear bomb.

One area where Obama has shifted is on the piping of Gas. The USA no longer opposes cooperation between Iran and Turkey on piping gas through the existing pipelines between the two nations. The USA now also sees Iran as a potential gas supplier for the Nabucco pipeline, which George Bush's administration was totally against. Richard Morningstar, special envoy for Eurasian energy admitted "Obviously, right now, gas from Iran creates some difficulties for the United States as well as for other countries involved," but "We [US] reached out to Iran, we want to engage with Iran, but it also takes two to go to the dance and we are hoping that there will be positive responses from Iran." This represents a change from an ideological to a pragmatic approach towards Iran^[1]

1. ^ M K Bhadrakumar, US promotes Iran in the Energy Market, Asia Times Online, April 28th 2009, http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KD28Ak01.html

It is all just empty rehtoric, Obama says he wants a new start but the conditions are still more or less the same; Iran halting enrichment. The Iranians will never accept this. Moreover appealing to the people will be seen as going over the heads of the regime, something that is usually done to destablise Iran, not engage it.

unlike the Bush administration Obama has made it clear that he is willing to talk to Iran on various issues. Obama offered the people of Iran a 'new beginning' in a video message to the Iranian people. "My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us," Obama wants engagement with dialogue not through threats. Obama declared "The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations. You have that right - but it comes with real responsibilities."^[1]

1. ^ Obama offers Iran President new beginning, BBC news, Friday, 20 March 2009, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7954211.stm