US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton encouraged speculation this week that the US may be preparing to "go big" on Iran when she said that Iran will be offered "a diplomatic way out, a very clear path that would be verifiable and would be linked to action for action" when nuclear talks resume in Moscow June 18-19.

The US should indeed "go big" by recognizing Iran’s right to enrichment, accepting Iranian offers of cooperation in regional trouble spots, and making explicit that Iranian transparency on its nuclear program would lead to the lifting of sanctions.

First, Iran’s "right" to enrich uranium, in the context of a civilian nuclear program, has become fused with Iranian national honor. This may strike some as puzzling, but it cannot be swept aside. UN Security Council resolutions call for Iran to suspend enrichment-related activities, but Iran rejects this demand. The P5+1 — the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany — and Iran have sought to thread the needle through what was originally known as the "fuel swap" proposal to support Iran’s nuclear medical research. In Baghdad last month, the P5+1 proposed Iran cease enrichment at 20%, ship out its stockpile of 20% enriched uranium, and halt operations at the Fordow uranium-enrichment facility near Qom. In return, Iran would be allowed some civil nuclear cooperation, isotopes for its nuclear medical reactor and spare parts for its civilian aircraft.

To close the deal and advance the negotiations, the P5+1 could recognize Iran’s right to enrichment in the context of Iran being a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) and freeze all pending sanctions on Iran. Additionally, the P5+1 might request a good-faith strategic pause in enrichment while Iran resolves outstanding questions about its nuclear program, which would lead to the removal of those related UN sanctions. Iran should understand that its right to enrichment is not the issue; it is specific, documented concerns about its nuclear program, such as compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency Safeguards Agreement and ratification of the Additional Protocol that need to be addressed. Framing the request in the context of Iran’s adherence to the NPT, rather than in response to UN Security Council resolutions which Iran rejects, might facilitate Iranian cooperation.