Susan Rice on Iran talks: ‘Window is finite’

POLITICO.com -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice had some tough words for Iran Thursday, saying regarding negotiations that Iran’s “window is finite.”

“Hope is a strong word. You don’t trust them… Let’s see what they come with. They better come serious, ready to deal, and give up their nuclear program. The window is finite,” said Rice on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

Rice said that Iran was willing to come back to the table unconditionally, but that a negotiated diplomatic solution was the only way to permanently end Iran’s nuclear program.

“For all the talk about military action, which we think is at this stage is very much premature, the reality is that a strike is not going to end the program in perpetuity. It may set it back a year or two. The only way to end it permanently is if they decide, as South Africa did and other countries have, to give up their nuclear weapons program. And that’s what we are trying to accomplish through intensified pressure,” the ambassador said.

“We need to test the proposition that the mounting pressure could indeed lead, potentially, to a negotiated, diplomatic solution,” she added.

Rice didn’t quite give a clear answer on the question on whether Iran was a “rational actor,” alternatively saying they have exhibited “crazy behavior” and have made calculated decisions in the past.

“I think we have all seen crazy behavior out of Iran, including calling for the destruction of its neighbors, including Israel… but the other side of this coin is that we have seen Iran make decisions based on their calculation of their interests.” she said. “We think there is a real possibility, that with mounting and crippling economic pressure that Iran may change course.”