AP: In the span of just a few hours, announcements bouncing between Tehran and Washington showed the direction of their showdown: New issues are piling up even as Western envoys try to find a path to move nuclear talks forward.
Path for Iran nuclear talks choked by tensions
Iran says US can’t clear Gulf of mines
AFP: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday scoffed at US claims it could clear Gulf waters of mines in case of conflict after Washington announced plans for a multinational anti-mine operation.
US calls on Iran to release ‘all political prisoners’
AFP: The United States called on Iran to “release all political prisoners” Wednesday, expressing concern for a Kurdish activist and a human rights defender.
Obama condemns ‘barbaric’ attack on Israeli bus
AFP: US President Barack Obama condemned as a “barbaric terrorist attack” a deadly bus bombing Wednesday on a group of Israelis in Bulgaria that Israel has blamed on its arch-foe Iran.
Yemen president warns Iran to stop meddling
AP: Yemen’s president on Wednesday called on Iran to stop spying in his country, warning that the Shiite-led nation would “pay the price” if it continues meddling.
New proof Iran behind Argentina attack: Jewish leader
AFP: Argentinian prosecutors have proof of Iranian involvement in a deadly 1994 attack on a Jewish community center, the center’s president claimed Wednesday.
Canada minister’s wife targeted over Iran activism
AFP: The Iranian-born activist wife of Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay has been targeted by what Canadian media describe as offensive Twitter messages for her challenge of the Tehran regime.
Iran’s economic problems only partly blamed on sanctions
Bloomberg: Iran’s economic difficulties are 20 percent the result of international sanctions, according to Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, the Iranian Students News Agency reported.
Iran offers to insure foreign ships to skirt EU ban
Reuters: Iran said it would insure any foreign ships that enter its waters, in an effort to skirt a European Union ban on insuring ships carrying Iranian crude that has hampered the country’s oil exports.
HSBC hid $16 bn in Iran transactions: US Senate report
AFP: HSBC apologized Tuesday for failing to apply anti-laundering rules and one senior executive resigned, as lawmakers accused the global bank of giving Iran, terrorists and drug dealers access to the US financial system.
