What sort of action could this development possibly call for other than presidential-level, unconditional negotiations? I mean, it seems apparent that Iran’s leadership is full of reasonable people looking to work out a scenario where they’ll stop their nuclear enrichment. Right?

The [UN] investigation ran into trouble just months after being launched [last year]. Deadline after deadline was extended because of Iranian foot-dragging. The probe, originally meant to be completed late last year, spilled into the first months of 2008, and beyond…

Officials say that among the evidence given to the IAEA are what seem to be Iranian draft plans to refit missiles with nuclear warheads; explosives tests that could be used to develop a nuclear detonator, and a drawing showing how to mold uranium metal into the shape of warheads. There are also questions about links between Iran’s military and civilian nuclear facilities.

Today, [Iranian Vice President, Gholam Reza] Aghazadeh appeared to signal that his country was no longer prepared even to discuss the issue with the IAEA.

Investigating such allegations “is outside the domain of the agency,” he said after meeting with Mr. ElBaradei. Any further queries on the issue “will be dealt with in another way,” he said, without going into detail.

Allahpundit makes an interesting point here: I think there’s a perception amongst the public that the IAEA and United Nations have taken Iran’s side in this, but that’s not the case. The IAEA’s chief investigator, Olli Heinonen, said a few months back that there’s more to Iran’s nuke program than we currently see.

All eyes are now on Israel. With Iran saying its enrichment isn’t up for talks, claiming it won’t cooperate with the IAEA anymore, and apparently altering missiles to carry nuclear warheads, how will Israel respond? Will it wait for the international community to pass another round of uneffective sanctions that will only bide Iran more time? Or will it act now?

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