There is no doubt that our conditional participation in multilateral talks with the Iran is part of the international kabuki dance we must do to garner the approbation of world opinion and the UN, which unfortunately many think we need its stamp of approval to defend our national interests.
The Iranians will drag this out and keep the issue on the world's front burner. Iranian nationalism will be stirred and domestic opposition muted. It even has the practical effect of raising the price of oil, giving them more money to fund their support of terrorism.
My only fear is that the US will wind up being humiliated and forced to accept a less than desireable solution after being pressured by the EU, China, and Russia, which have their own reasons for preserving good relations with the Iranian regime.
I understand your fears, and agree. Either way, Democrats and the MSM will portray us as not doing the right thing.
I have to believe it's all strategy, one way or another. We are not privy to the thinking and long term planning of it. Many people were opposed to UN Resolution 1441 at the time but it ended up as the basis for action later on. Even later than that, 1441 became the defense of our actions when the media and Democrats started their predictable second guessing.