Iran Shuns Informal Deadline On Nuke Program

During the weekend, Iran failed to respond to an informal two-week deadline to give a yes-or-no answer to negotiations on dismantling critical parts of its nuclear program. Instead, it was busy unleashing a flurry of diplomatic and military activity to bolster its position.

On Saturday and Sunday, Iran received a Syrian delegation led by President Bashar Assad, a top Iranian ally, in what was seen as an effort to coordinate diplomatic strategy and fend off any possible U.S. or Israeli attacks.

Last week, it rallied foreign ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement gathered in Tehran to support Iran's nuclear program. In recent days, Iranian commanders of the elite Revolutionary Guard Corps met to plan defensive maneuvers in case of war.

On July 19, Iran declined to respond to a proposal backed by the United States, Europe, Russia and China to begin talks meant to lead to the eventual dismantling of sensitive parts of its nuclear program.

"It is clear that the government of Iran has not complied with the international community's demand to stop enriching uranium and isn't even interested in trying," Richard Grenell, spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, said Sunday.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday that his country was committed to diplomatic negotiations to resolve the standoff.

Iranian officials said they doubt that the nuclear crisis will lead to a military confrontation or even substantive economic sanctions soon.

But they are trying to broaden their diplomatic, military and public relations tools to prepare for any possibility, analysts said.

Diplomats and officials in Tehran said Iran has warmed to a proposal, dubbed "freeze for freeze," to stop adding new uranium-enriching centrifuges in exchange for a freeze on new economic sanctions during a period of pre-negotiations.