Reuters: Among the Iranian pilgrims, foreign executives and tourists in the departure lounge at Baghdad airport, a group of young Iraqis prepare to wage religious war in Syria – not for the rebels trying to topple President Bashar al-Assad but against them.
Iraqi Shi’ites flock to Assad’s side as sectarian split widens
Fears grow over Yemenis’ ties to Iran
Wall Street Journal: Iran is taking advantage of the confusion surrounding Yemen’s transition of government to gain a new foothold in the country, Yemeni and Western officials say, as Tehran seeks military allies operating near one of the world’s most strategic waterways for oil shipments.
Rohani once approved of hiding Iran atomic work
Reuters: Years before he became Iran’s president-elect, Hassan Rohani spoke approvingly about concealing his nation’s nuclear program and said that when Pakistan got atomic bombs and Brazil began enriching uranium, “the world started to work with them.”
If Hezbollah wins Syria
Wall Street Journal: For those who have hoped that the Syrian quagmire might swallow up Iran’s influence in the region, it’s time to wake up: Tehran and its ally Hezbollah are set to emerge from the Syrian conflict more aggressive than ever.
Netanyahu warns against ‘drawn out’ talks with Iran
AFP: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned world powers on Tuesday against holding “drawn out” negotiations with Iran on its nuclear programme following the election of a more moderate president in Tehran.
Analysis: Saudi role in Syria driven by fear of Shi’ite ‘full moon’
Reuters: Saudi Arabia’s former intelligence chief, Prince Muqrin, once told American diplomats the Middle East’s so-called Shi’ite Crescent where the Muslim sect holds sway was “becoming a full moon” as Iranian influence spread.
UNESCO takes Iran’s Bam citadel off danger list
AFP: Iran’s ancient citadel of Bam, almost completely destroyed by a major earthquake in 2003, has been removed from the UNESCO list of “World Heritage in Danger”, a spokesman said.
Syria counts on $1 billion Iran fund to support pound
Bloomberg: Syria’s central bank said a $1 billion credit line from Iran will help to prop up the pound, which weakened after the U.S. decided last week to arm rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad.
Iranian people want ‘different direction’: Obama
AFP: US President Barack Obama said that Iran’s election result showed the country’s people wanted to back away from confrontation with the outside world but ruled out for the moment lifting economic sanctions on Tehran.
Rowhani firm on Iran nuclear policy but vows more openness
AFP: Iran’s newly-elected president Hassan Rowhani ruled out on Monday any halt to the nuclear activity that has drawn UN sanctions but said he hoped an early deal could be reached to allay the concerns of major powers.
