This opportunity raises many questions.  Can we depend on Iran to negotiate in good faith?  Is Iran truly ready to renounce terrorism?  And what will be the costs to the people of Iran if we engage a regime that oppresses its own people?

We must confront all these questions, and scour our consciences for the answers.  But these questions are dwarfed by a more immediate one: do we have the courage—the foresight—the strength of will—to seize this opportunity?  Will we be brave enough to talk with Iran and risk a diplomatic failure? Or will we be so afraid to talk that we would risk war?

I ask the President to confront his fears—justified as they may be—and choose the courageous path of reaching out to engage Iran on a diplomatic formula to end the Iranian nuclear program.