Maybe Iran's last chance to relent

US signals dramatic shift in Iraq policy

The United States is to attend a conference in Baghdad next month to discuss the "stabilisation" of Iraq with its six neighbours, including Iran which Mr Bush once described as being part of an "Axis of Evil".

Perhaps Iran can earn some credibility in this meeting, and maybe convince the U.S. that it nuclear talks should occur. Probably not.

Threats transmitted directly (Iran and Sudan accuse US of creating Mideast strife), or through acolytes(Hizbullah warns US and Israel against attacking Iran), will not intimidate the U.S.

If anything, the pressure on Iran may be building, as France's Sarkozy calls nuclear-armed Iran unacceptable. This, a far cry from French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy's comments last August that Iran was a "stabilizing force" in the Middle East. Perhaps this will also lead the French to reconsider their economic ties with Iran.