The Obama administration is still optimistic that diplomacy can work to resolve the
standoff between the international community and Iran over the goals of its nuclear
programme. An Iranian general, however, said yesterday that the nation will pre-emptively
strike anyone who threatens it. The U.S. and Israel have not ruled out strikes against
Iranian nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency
expressed disappointment today over the lack of progress during two days of talks
in Tehran and said its request to visit a military site had not been granted. At
the White House, spokesman Jay Carney put the emphasis back on negotiations.