HARD DECISION

Iran's response to the incentives by the six countries, which some analysts described as the last chance for Iran to show its flexibility, would be considered vital to the future development of the nuclear issue.

U.S. spokesman Sean McCormack warned after the talks that Iran should either accept the incentives by the six powers, or face "further isolation."

"We hope the Iranian people understand that their leaders need to make a choice between cooperation, which would bring benefits to all, and confrontation, which can only lead to further isolation," McCormack said in a statement.

International pressure on Iran is also mounting, as the package was agreed upon by all the six countries, which means a no-answer from Iran could eventually drive the country into real "isolation," as the McCormack put it.

And Iran's rejection of the package could also offer the United States an excuse to take further actions.

However, Iran is not the one who would face a difficult decision. The United States would be hard-pressed to decide what to do next should Iran say no.

Military actions would obviously further burden already overstretched U.S. forces and more economic sanctions would not work neither, as earlier sanctions have so far failed to change Iran's hardline position, not to mention that the United States will have difficulty obtaining full support from the other five countries in this regard, analysts said.

More flexibility will be needed on the part of both the United States and Iran and diplomatic negotiations will remain the best means to seek a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, they said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2008)