Iran sanctions can be eased if it cooperates

The longer the impasse goes on, the closer Iran could get to the technological threshold of a capability to build an atom bomb, raising the odds of Israeli strikes against its installations.Western diplomats say the possibility of revising their negotiating tactic is under discussion as they prepare fo possible talks with Iran after the Nov. 6 presidential election in the United States, following three inconclusive rounds this year.One option could be for each side to put more on the table - both in terms of demands and possible rewards - than in previous meetings in a bid to break the stalemate despite deep skepticism about the chances of a breakthrough any time soon.Years of diplomacy and sanctions have failed to resolve a dispute between the West and Iran over its nuclear programme, raising fears of Israeli military action against its arch foe and a new Middle East war damaging to a fragile world economy.The next meeting would have to be well prepared, said one Western diplomat. There could be interesting new developments, like more demands and more concessions.Israel, believed to be the Middle Easts only nuclear power and convinced a nuclear Tehran would pose a mortal threat, says Iran could arrive at the point of being able to weaponise enriched uranium next spring or summer.Iran denies accusations it is seeking nuclear weapons and has so far refused to meet demands that it scales back its atomic activity, insisting on immediate sanctions relief.Western powers have rejected that and, instead, offered limited incentives focused on technology cooperation.They have also ramped up punitive measures to draw Iran, one of the worlds biggest oil producers, into meaningful talks.Another Western diplomat cautioned that a new strategy for diplomacy had yet to be finalised by Irans six interlocutors: the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.But he said a new meeting with Iran soon after the U.S. vote could not be ruled out, and preparations were under way.It is possible there may indeed be some meeting in November to discuss an offer ... and that we ask more of the Iranians, in which case we could offer more, this diplomat said.