Talks between the United States and Iran face considerable problems of substance and mistrust. Time is short for a complicated negotiation. The two sides disagree on whether the talks will be direct or indirect, but the importance of the two men involved is what matters. The Europeans must decide before October whether to reimpose UN sanctions against Iran, which could lead to Iran pulling out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The space for talking is narrow, and the tactic of negotiation under threat is not a substitute for a serious policy on Iran.