Obama's Ross Says Iran Deadline is October

President Obama's Persian Gulf Envoy Dennis Ross finished a week long tour of the Middle East. The number one topic was Iran. Haaretz reported:

The United States has set October as its target for completing the first round of talks with Iran on its nuclear program, according to confidential reports sent to Jerusalem.

Iran holds elections this summer, the second week in June. If a run off is required it will be held the following week. When Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won in 2005, he was sworn in as President in early August.

Barack Obama will have five or six months to get organized for negotiations. A new Iranian leader will be at a distinct disadvantage with an October time frame. Ahmadinejad, the U.S. and Israel's bogeyman, could easily win reelection.

How would the U.S. respond to an ultimatum given in September of an election year, especially one with a March completion target? Dennis Ross, Obama's neocon.