By Gareth Porter
WASHINGTON - The Barack Obama   administration has adopted a demand in the   negotiations with Iran beginning on Saturday in   Istanbul that its Fordow enrichment facility must   be shut down and eventually dismantled based on an   understanding with Israel that risks the collapse   of the negotiations.
It is unclear,   however, whether the administration intends to   press that demand regardless of Iran's rejection   or will withdraw it later
in the talks. Washington is believed to be interested in obtaining at least an agreement that would keep the talks going through the electoral campaign and beyond.
The   government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,   on the other hand, has been extremely anxious   about the possibility of an agreement that would   allow the Iranian enrichment programme to   continue. So it hopes the demand for closure and   dismantling of Fordow will be a "poison pill"   whose introduction could cause the breakdown of   the talks with Iran. READ MORE
