WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. John Kerry released the following statement today in response to the Bush Administration’s decision to abandon its failed Iran policy and finally meet with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator:

"This could be the most welcome flip-flop in recent diplomatic history. Just weeks ago, George Bush stood in the Knesset and labeled as appeasers all those who would engage with Iran. Now the Bush administration has decided to reverse course and join direct talks with Tehran. It's the right decision, however late. Not engaging Iran has failed. Miserably. While we stood on the sidelines and outsourced our diplomacy to Europe, Iran used that time to continue to master the nuclear fuel cycle and get closer to a nuclear weapons capability. Even if direct dialogue fails to reach an agreement, we are armed with new leverage that strengthens our hand with Europe, Russia, and China to impose tougher sanctions and begin to reverse this dynamic.”

###