A top American diplomat and foreign policy veteran has called 2013 a “decisive year” for resolving the standoff between the Iranian regime and countries seeking to reduce opacity around Tehran’s atomic program. Dennis Ross, who has served prominently under every president since Bill Clinton, told an audience at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs that harsh sanctions have brought Iran to a decision point after which the U.S. administration will have to respond accordingly. Ross’s remarks come in the midst of continuing suggestions that talks between the P5+1 and Iran may resume as early as this month.

[Photo: Reuben Ingber / Flickr]