AFP: Iran and six world powers meet for talks in Baghdad on Wednesday hoping to silence what US President Barack Obama called the “drums of war” and pave the way to a deal that will end decades of enmity.
Iran, world powers seek breakthrough in Baghdad
Obama’s preference for talks with Iran faces test
AP: President Barack Obama’s preferred path to end the Iranian nuclear standoff faces a stern test this week when world powers sit down with Iran in another bid to press it to meet international demands to prove it is not trying to develop nuclear weapons.
S.Korea seeks exemption from EU Iran oil ban
AFP: Seoul is seeking an exemption from a European Union embargo that would effectively halt shipments of Iranian oil to South Korea from July 1, officials said on Tuesday.
US Senate approves sanctions against Iran
AFP: The US Senate approved new sanctions against Iran aimed at convincing the Islamic Republic to suspend its uranium enrichment, which western powers say is a cover for developing nuclear weapons.
Iran nuclear talks step in Iraq’s re-emergence
AFP: Nuclear talks between the major powers and Iran that are to be held in Baghdad on Wednesday have major implications for global security but also mark the latest step in Iraq’s emergence from isolation.
Businessman charged for exporting to Iran
UPI: The president of a South Carolina synthetic oil company faces charges for allegedly exporting goods to Iran, the U.S. Department of Justice said Monday.
Iran propping up Syria’s dwindling cash reserves
CNN: Syria’s president is quickly spending through his cash reserves as sanctions choke off many sources of funding, but the regime is getting help from Iran in bolstering finances, CNN has learned.
U.S. won’t ease oil sanctions at Iran nuclear talks
Bloomberg: U.S. negotiators headed to Baghdad for a second round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program won’t be giving Iran the relief it is seeking from oil and financial sanctions hobbling its economy, according to Obama administration officials.
UN nuclear chief seeks pact on wider Iran probes
AP: The head of the U.N. nuclear agency pushed Monday for a breakthrough pact with Iran to resume inspections into suspected secret atomic weapons work and possibly set in motion further dealmaking when envoys from Tehran and world powers gather later this week in Baghdad.
Azeris pressured by Iran to cut Israel, West ties, official says
Bloomberg: Iran is pressuring Azerbaijan to cut ties with Israel and Western nations as tensions mount over the Persian Gulf state’s nuclear program, an aide to Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s said.
