But comic relief aside, a serious play is underway.

In a startling comment, Bush, after declaring that "Iran must abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions," added, in comments directed to the Iranian people, "Despite what the regime tells you, we have no objection to Iran's pursuit of a truly peaceful nuclear power program."

Hours later, Ahmadinejad declared that Iran's nuclear program is "transparent, peaceful and under the watchful eye" of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog. He further pledged to observe the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Tehran has signed that prohibits any acquisition of nuclear weapons, but entitles Iran to peaceful nuclear power and the working knowledge of the technology of how it is produced.

Between Bush's position -- America has no objection to Iran's pursuit of nuclear power -- and Ahmadinejad's -- Iran's program is for peaceful nuclear power and fully under IAEA inspection -- there seems to be common ground on which to stand to avoid a conflict.

If both men are serious, the questions that remain are clear.

Are all of Iran's nuclear facilities open to IAEA inspection? If not, will Iran ensure they all are subject to inspection and shall remain so? Does Bush now accept Iran's right, under the NPT Iran has signed, to enrich uranium, under IAEA supervision, and acquire the knowledge that goes with it? Or does Bush yet insist on regime change, before Iran can exercise its rights under the NPT?

The conflict between us boils down to this: The United States contends that, as Iran kept part of its nuclear program secret for years, it must be seeking a nuclear weapons capability. Thus, Iran cannot be entrusted, despite its rights under the NTP, with a uranium-enrichment program. For the knowledge and the experience Iran would thereby gain would move it but a step away from being able to produce nuclear material for an atom bomb.

The bottom line question for President Bush is this: If Iran is unwilling to surrender its rights under the NPT to enrich uranium, is he willing to go to war to prevent this? Or would he settle for IAEA inspectors in all Iranian plants, which Ahmadinejad has said at least he is willing to accommodate? This may be the most critical question Bush will face in his remaining years in office.