AP: The U.N. nuclear chief said Monday he still can’t confirm that all aspects of Iran’s nuclear program are peaceful, and he expressed serious concern at North Korea’s refusal to allow the return of nuclear inspectors.
UN can’t say Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful
Iran slams U.N. nuclear chief, denies keeping secrets
Reuters: Iran sharply criticized the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Monday and rejected accusations Tehran is not cooperating enough with inspectors trying to verify whether it is seeking atomic weapons.
Turkey expects to host Iran nuclear talks: Gul
Reuters: Turkey expects to host talks between Iran and six major powers on Tehran’s nuclear programme “some time soon,” President Abdullah Gul said on Monday.
U.S. says sanctions against Iran “having impact”
Reuters: The United States rejected on Monday Israeli concerns that it had become necessary to pursue a credible military threat against Iran, saying sanctions could deter Tehran from building a nuclear weapon.
Iraq: Deadly car bombing hits Karbala
BBC: A car bomb has exploded in the city of Karbala in central Iraq, killing at least 10 people and wounding dozens more, officials say.
Young rappers arrested in Iran
CNN: Police in Tehran have arrested several members of underground Iranian rap groups, the semi-offical ILNA news agency reported.
Iran to boost electricity prices from December, Donya reports
Bloomberg: Iran will start increasing electricity rates from December as part of a wider plan to phase out subsidies of prices for energy and food, Donya-e-Eqtesad reported, citing an unidentified Energy Ministry official.
Leaving Iran’s middle class behind
Washington Post: Middle-class urbanites think they’re being singled out by a government plan that will soon cut off state subsidies and boost the prices of a wide array of everyday products.
Iran says ready to hold nuclear talks in Turkey
AFP: Iran said on Sunday it has informed Ankara that Tehran is ready to hold talks in Turkey with the six world powers over its controversial nuclear programme, turning to a country seen as an ally.
Iran’s leaders face rumblings as prices rise and sanctions bite
AP: The most potent challenge to Iran’s ruling system may not be international sanctions or the homegrown political opposition, but something as simple as a shopping list.
