Iran's real intentions can be fathoms from its objection to French involvement in nuclear talks Why?

Tehran claims that France, which has taken a tough line on Iran in recent weeks, has broken previous agreements to supply nuclear materials.

America and Russia are also at the table in Vienna, but Mr Mottaki's words, delivered in Tehran, cast a chill over the talks. Negotiations began on Monday, but formal discussions came to a halt yesterday.

Western officials regard Iran as a uniquely difficult negotiating partner. Whenever an agreement of any kind is reached – such as the supposed deal on Oct 1 – Iranian officials generally seek to reopen the issue and then demand further concessions in return for delivering what they have already agreed.

Now read the following optimistic headline:US hopes for Iran nuclear deal in next few days

Why am I even more skeptical than usual? El Baradei is the negotiator and he is keeping the details of the proposed deal secret.

The deal was in talks between Iran, Russia, the United States and France, and was sent to governments for approval by the end of the week, said Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

El Baradei declined to reveal any details about the draft document, but diplomats said it included demands that Iran ship out most of its stockpile of low-enriched uranium for further processing by another country.

It is a mad world not only in Tehran!