It's in the Persona and Place...

I would advise the State Department to walk into these crucial negotiations with Iran from a fresh perspective which will hopefully be rewarded by a successful conclusion to the negotiations. First, I would suggest focusing on how the diplomats carry themselves. It is important that they come across as firm and yet willing to compromise. Non-verbals are key in this situation. Confident posture, eye contact, and signals of attentive listening are very important. Iranian's must be contacted in regards to Iranian nonverbals and the 'translation' of US nonverbals. Such signals will convey respect: a diplomat’s best friend. Second, I would pay close attention to the venue and set-up of the meetings. Perhaps a boardroom is not the most inviting setting for comfortable discussion of the grave issues at hand. Iranian officials might be more open to frank conversation if special consideration was taken to some adaptation to the Iranian style of negotiation and where negotiation takes place.