And discussions were the only option, since Europe and Russia didn't want to play the UN card.
Now it finally appears that Europe has reached the same conclusion that America did some time ago, which is that Iran is not dealing in good faith and discussions will lead nowhere.
That's a good thing, because Europe was certainly concerned that America was attempting to dictate global foreign policy. So Europe got its chance to lead and succeed.
Now that it's failed to pull off that miracle, perhaps America and Europe, perhaps joined by Russia, can agree to work together at the UN to increase pressure on Iran.
Time is short, though. It's now or never to prevent Iran from getting the bomb. Once they have it, the power shifts dramatically.
The question is, why would the Russians suddenly start to cooperate, when they have been the ones chiefly responsible for giving Iran nuclear weapons and only recently offered them surface to air missiles to protect themselves?
Iran has mainly been doing the work of the French and the Russians ever since Jimmuh deposed the Shah and the French sent their old pal Khomeini back in.
Russia may act to delay matters further by referring this to the UN, but what kind of resolution will the Russians and the French allow in the Security Council?