WHAT IRAN WANTS

"Iran wants a wholesale transformation of its relationship with the United States, which is one of the most antagonistic in the world... Iran wants to be allowed to continue its (nuclear) programme... which it says is completely peaceful as well as its right under the international non-proliferation regime. That means an end to the threat of UN sanctions... and an end to US and Israeli threats of military action to destroy its nuclear facilities.

In the past, Tehran has had its fingers burnt by trying to open a dialogue with this most hawkish of US administrations. In May 2003, for example, it offered to open up its nuclear programme, rein in Hezbollah and co-operate against al-Qaeda, but was... rebuffed... Since then, a right-wing Iranian president has been elected, although overall executive power lies with the religious revolutionary leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran... wants to be absolved completely from Washington's designation of it as part of the "axis of evil"..."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6144842.stm