To provide for the appointment of a high-level United States representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the United States and Iran.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Diplomatic Accountability Act 
of 2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) On December 3, 2007, the National Intelligence 
        Estimate, representing the consensus view of 16 intelligence 
        agencies, concluded that Iran had once had a covert nuclear 
        weapons program.
            (2) The National Intelligence Estimate also found that Iran 
        had halted its covert nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that 
        this program remains frozen.
            (3) The NIE concluded that Iran's leadership was quite 
        sensitive to international views and wanted to avoid 
        international confrontation and made a ``cost-benefit'' 
        decision regarding whether or not to have such a program.
            (4) Serious concerns still remain about the Government of 
        Iran's intentions and behavior with respect to the development 
        of nuclear weapons, especially regarding its fuel enrichment 
        program and the speed with which it might reconstitute its 
        suspended nuclear weapons program.
            (5) Hostile official rhetoric exacerbates tensions and 
        reinforces misunderstandings and animus between the people of 
        the United States and Iran.
            (6) The United States should enlist the support of all 
        interested parties to the region, including the IAEA, to 
        establish a program to ensure that Iran's nuclear weapons 
        program is terminated permanently, that its nuclear energy 
        program is brought fully under IAEA inspection and control, and 
        that all diplomatic tools are utilized to achieve these 
        objectives.
            (7) A diplomatic solution that includes direct, 
        unconditional, bilateral, and comprehensive talks with the 
        Government of Iran is the only way to resolve long-standing 
        tensions between the United States and Iran.

SEC. 3. APPOINTMENT OF HIGH-LEVEL U.S. REPRESENTATIVE OR SPECIAL ENVOY.

    (a) Appointment.--At the earliest possible date, the President 
shall appoint a high-level United States representative or special 
envoy for Iran.
    (b) Criteria for Appointment.--The President shall appoint an 
individual under subsection (a) on the basis of the individual's 
knowledge and understanding of the issues regarding Iran's nuclear 
program, experience in conducting international negotiations, and 
ability to conduct negotiations under subsection (c) with the respect 
and trust of the parties involved in the negotiations.
    (c) Duties.--The high-level United States representative or special 
envoy for Iran shall--
            (1) seek to conduct direct, unconditional, bilateral 
        negotiations with Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and 
        normalizing relations between the United States and Iran;
            (2) consult with other countries and international 
        organizations, including countries in the region, where 
        appropriate and when necessary to achieve the purpose set forth 
        in paragraph (1);
            (3) act as liaison with United States and international 
        intelligence agencies where appropriate and when necessary to 
        achieve the purpose set for in paragraph (1); and
            (4) ensure that the bilateral negotiations under paragraph 
        (1) complement the ongoing international negotiations with 
        Iran.

SEC. 4. OFFICE OF HIGH-LEVEL U.S. REPRESENTATIVE OR SPECIAL ENVOY.

    Not later than 30 days after the appointment of a high-level United 
States representative or special envoy under section 3(a), the 
Secretary of State shall establish in the Department of State an office 
for the purpose of supporting the work of the representative or special 
envoy.

SEC. 5. REPORTING TO CONGRESS.

    (a) Reports.--Not later than 60 days after the high-level United 
States representative or special envoy for Iran is appointed under 
section 3, and every 180 days thereafter, the United States 
representative or special envoy shall report to the committees set 
forth in subsection (b) on the status and progress of negotiations 
conducted under section 3(c). Each such report may, when necessary or 
appropriate, be submitted in classified and unclassified form.
    (b) Committees.--The committees referred to in subsection (a) are--
            (1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on 
        Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the 
        Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on 
        Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the 
        Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such 
sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

Summary: Iran Diplomatic Accountability Act of 2008 - Directs: (1) the President to appoint a high-level U.S. representative or special envoy for Iran for the purpose of easing tensions and normalizing relations between the United States and Iran; and (2) the Secretary of State to establish a Department of State office to support the work of such representative or special envoy.