Iran Snap Analysis: Nuke Talks? What Nuke Talks?

See today's LiveBlog for the latest updates on the talks.

I got it so wrong yesterday. At the start of the day, I bluntly stated, "The resumption of the uranium talks in Istanbul between Tehran and the 5+1 Powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China, Germany), will define the theme for most media. It's Nukes, Nukes, Nukes."

It wasn't. While discussions started in the morning and continued late last night, "Western" broadcasters and the press --- with a couple of notable exceptions --- were silent after CNN correspondent Ivan Watson got the day started with the incisive report, "On eve of Iran nuke talks,diplomats from P5+1 & Iranian negotiator all sat at same table for dinner hosted by Turks in Ottoman palace." (Watson's only follow-ups during the day: "Iran nuclear talks started moments ago" and "Western official writes diplomats take a break from Iran nuclear talks for 'prayers/lunch'.")

The unexpected vacuum of coverage throughout Friday was forced because the diplomats on both sides ensured nothing got out of the talks. Reuters was the notable exception last night when it attempted this bold declaration, "Iran nuclear talks stuck as old positions restated".

In fact, the only support for this exclusive was a boiler-plate declaration by Tehran official, "We will not allow any talks linked to freezing or suspending Iran's enrichment activities to be discussed at the meeting in Istanbul." That re-statement of the Iranian Government's public line --- issued primarily for the audience in Tehran, not the diplomats in Istanbul --- had no apparent connection to what was going on behind closed doors.

There is more substance this morning in a report from Steven Erlanger in The New York Times, based on unnamed "Western diplomats", that the late-night sessions was "tense and even acrimonious". No details were offered, but a diplomat's complaint does seem to go beyond standard tough talk: “The Iranians still will not admit that they have a problem with the world. Every idea we put forward, they find a reason not to take it up.”

Erlanger continues, drawing from another Western diplomat, that it is unlikely that a date would be set here for a further round of talks: “I think [Istanbul's conclusion] will be an agreement to go away and reflect.” 

We'll see. Perhaps the most telling statement is the diplomats' assertion that the talks were close to ending as the clock near midnight; however, the parties did agree to talk this morning.

And so to today. Another vacuum in news means little, irrespective of any public declarations from Tehran or Washington; however, by the afternoon, we should have some clues as to whether the nuclear discussions have stalled.