IRAN ACCUSES U.S. - AT 5:11 P.M. ET:  As a confrontation with Iran over its nuclear program is building, Iran is accusing the United States of faking the whole thing.  From the AP:

Iran accused the US on Friday of using "forged documents" and relying on subterfuge to make its case that Teheran is trying to build a nuclear weapon, according to a confidential letter obtained by The Associated Press.

The eight-page letter, written by Iran's chief envoy to the UN nuclear agency in Vienna, denounces Washington's allegations against the Islamic Republic as "fabricated, baseless and false." The letter does not specify what documents Iran is alleging were forged.

It also lashes out at Britain and France for "ill will and political motivation" in their dealings on Iran.

Iranian envoy Ali Asghar Soltanieh sent the letter to Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, whose 35-nation board will take a hard new look at Iran's nuclear program next week.

COMMENT:  Iran is expected by Western nations to respond to demands, by the end of the month, that it seriously negotiate the future of its nuclear program.  The American public is not focused on this issue, but we'll be watching to see if the Obama administration can enforce its demands, or whether it will fritter away more time.

September 4, 2009