AP: Iran’s top negotiator says his country is seeking “cooperation” from world powers in next week’s nuclear talks in Baghdad and has warned against pressure by the West.
Iran warns West against pressure in nuclear talks
Japan bank freezes Iran accounts after court order
AFP: A Japanese bank has halted transactions by the Iranian government after a US court ordered a $2.6 billion asset freeze over the 1983 bombing of US barracks in Beirut, a bank spokesman said on Thursday.
Total sanctions might stop Iran
Wall Street Journal: The regime is hurting. Fully cutting off its access to international business, especially banking and shipping, could be the solution to its bomb program.
Diplomat: UN experts say Iran sends arms to Syria
AP: An expert panel monitoring U.N. sanctions on Iran has reported that Syria continues to be the main destination of illicit Iranian weapons, a Security Council diplomat said Wednesday.
Man faces prison for Iran shipments scheme
AP: A federal judge has sentenced a businessman to 13 months in prison following his guilty plea in a scheme to illegally export computer parts to Iran.
Iran urges rally against Saudi-Bahrain union
AFP: Iran hardened its tone against a plan to unite Bahrain with Saudi Arabia, calling on its people to protest Friday against what it described as a US plot to annex the tiny Gulf archipelago.
Taiwan’s oil imports from Iran surge following halt in February
Bloomberg: Taiwan resumed oil imports from Iran in March after ceasing purchases a month earlier, according to data from Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Iran nuclear concession would test big power unity
Reuters: Facing an imminent toughening of sanctions, Iran is hinting at a readiness to give some ground in its long nuclear stand-off with world powers, but any flexibility could split their ranks and lead to protracted uncertainty about how to respond.
Iran’s tough nuclear stance masks struggles at top
AP: The negotiating stance from Iranian officials never varies: The Islamic Republic will not give up its capabilities to make nuclear fuel. But embedded in the messages are meanings that reach beyond Tehran’s talks with world powers.
Iran says Saudi-Bahrain union plan deepens crisis
AFP: Iran warned on Tuesday that Riyadh’s plans to form a union with Manama would deepen the crisis in Bahrain, a day after Saudi Arabia told Tehran to keep out of its relations with the tiny Gulf kingdom.
