Bush Administration Changes Track on Iran

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is changing course on Iran in its final months. The hope is that engagement can jolt a stagnant effort to resolve concerns about Tehran's disputed nuclear program where war drums could not.

America has shifted from its long-standing confrontational policy of isolating Iran in favor of a diplomatic approach that resembles the direction taken to get North Korea to give up its atomic arms.

The administration will, for the first time, send a senior envoy to talks with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator. Until the weekend meeting in Switzerland, America has insisted it would not speak with the Iranians until they end the suspect activities.