A united Iran strategy could prevent a repeat of the divisive experience of the U.S. invasion of Iraq over its alleged weapons of mass destruction and its costly impact on transatlantic relations.
The incentives under active consideration are also not major concessions, U.S. and European officials note. "The kind of [economic and political] changes required for membership in the World Trade Organization are very much what we'd want to see anyway," the State Department official said. "So it's not giving Iran something. It's making clear this could lead to that, if they comply."
 
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And even if Iran did fully comply on its nuclear program, it would still take many years to accede to WTO membership because of the time required to radically restructure Tehran's economy, European officials say.
"We're profoundly skeptical that Iran is going to do anything, but we do want to do whatever we can do to help the Europeans succeed," the State Department official said. "And if Iran did comply, there would still be a lot to talk about even at that stage before Iran got WTO membership."
The European proposal, the U.S. official added, lets Washington take steps without changing its basic assessment of Iran's government. It also allows the president to keep all options on the table.
The United States is also considering the European suggestion to facilitate Iran's access to spare airplane parts for its aging passenger fleet as well as other unspecified proposals, U.S. and European officials say. The senior administration official said the White House is still working out the "right mix" and timing of incentives.
The White House discussion about incentives signals a willingness in principle to engage with Iran after a quarter century of diplomatic hostility. During Bush's first term, the United States talked with Iran under U.N. auspices about Afghanistan and al Qaeda, but the contacts quickly broke down over the long-standing issues of Iran's ties to extremists, concerns about weapons of mass destruction and Iran's opposition to the Middle East peace process.
U.S. officials expect Bush to make a decision soon after Friday's meeting with key cabinet members involved in foreign policy and Vice President Cheney participating by video conference. "There's no timetable," the State Department official said, "but we're looking for a decision."
