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Last update - 09:13 22/03/2009 U.S. plan for Iran: Talks alongside sanctions By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: U.S., Iran, Israel News  Senior U.S. officials are preparing to present President Barack Obama with a plan for dialogue with Iran on its nuclear program, including increased international sanctions against Tehran alongside dialogue. Top Israeli and U.S. officials have been holding meetings on Iran. The unofficial dialogue between Washington and Tehran, bitter enemies since the Islamic Revolution toppled American ally Shah Reza Pahlavi in 1979, will begin within two weeks, even before Obama approves the plan. Advertisement Senior U.S. diplomats will meet their Iranian counterparts in two meetings about the future of Afghanistan - one in Moscow on March 27 and the other in the Netherlands on March 31. The senior U.S. official leading the American rapprochement with Iran is Dennis Ross. Senior Israeli officials and Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, who was recently in Washington, have informed the U.S. what Israel thinks about dialogue with Iran. In talks with the American officials, Israel has learned that the U.S. is planning to conduct a "parallel" approach - beginning a dialogue with Iran, while working with Russia, China, Germany, France and Britain to formulate new sanctions against Iran. The U.S. will coordinate its efforts with Israel and with moderate Arab states as well. The goal is to combine talks with pressure in order to convince the Iranian leadership to respond to western demands that it curtail its nuclear program. Late last week, President Obama sent a message to the Iranian people, wishing them well on their New Year and calling for constructive ties between the U.S. and Iran. Obama said in a video message that the U.S. "administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international community." President Shimon Peres also recorded a similar message that will be aired online and on Israel Radio in Farsi. Related articles: Peres to Iran: Reclaim your rightful place among 'enlightened nations' Ahmadinejad: Sanctions against Iran are 'childish' Iran rejects Obama offer for 'new beginning' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Military in denial IDF chief Ashkenazi refuses to believe IDF troops harmed Gaza civilians in cold blood. Coalitional contention Labor demands chairmanship of key Knesset committee promised to Lieberman.   1.   Already tried, didn`t work and won`t work. Where is the `mutual` 10:04  |  JustMe 22/03/09   2.   America as an enforcer of Israeli policy 12:25  |  Natallie Durson 22/03/09   3.   #2 open your eyes - this war is about jihad, not "settlements" 12:41  |  Ohev Tsion 22/03/09   4.   Bin Talking for 7 years-Iran wants talks for another year or 2 13:35  |  Alan SA 22/03/09   5.   Obama takes a page from the Bush playbook 13:39  |  Lynn 22/03/09   6.   "Why did you sting me?" said the frog to the scorpion. 14:01  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 22/03/09   7.   How about a pot luck and a friendly game of bridge too? 14:48  |  Nechama 22/03/09   8.   Iran`s plan for US: keep talking until the Bomb is ready 20:15  |  Realist 23/03/09   9.   Same US gun boat diplomacy at work 12:20  |  watching you 24/03/09

Read & React Bradley Burston: Why does the world media love to hate Israel? Responses: 84 Amira Hass: Time to believe Gaza war crimes allegations Responses: 69 Leftist MK, top cop hurt in clash near rightist march Responses: 59 Moshe Arens: Israel paid high price for little achievement in Gaza Responses: 33 More Headlines 15:29 'In Umm al-Fahm, we protected democracy' 13:41 Key Labor minister announces support for joining coalition 14:58 ANALYSIS / Netanyahu made an offer Barak couldn't refuse 15:37 On virtual battlefield, Hezbollah is at its most vulnerable 12:38 'Slumdog Millionaire' star Freida Pinto in Israel to film movie 12:39 Soldiers: Drunk IDF reservists vandalized Palestinian cars 11:41 Two planes involved in near-miss at Ben Gurion airport 23:11 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 15:12 Can look-alikes ease the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? 15:06 Poll: 32% of U.S. Jews say Lieberman as FM will weaken link to Israel 07:48 Film on IDF to explore 'melting pot' forced on immigrants 09:45 Man seriously hurt after shot at close range in Rehovot market 14:44 'It's natural for Barak to join a rightist government' Previous Editions Select Day 23 mar 22 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 15 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar

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