Washington Post: Nearly five months after disputed parliamentary elections, leading Iraqi politicians say they have all but abandoned hope of resolving an impasse over forming a new government before fall.
Iraqis don’t expect political impasse to be resolved by fall
Iran resumes gas exports to Turkey – gas official
Reuters: Iranian natural gas began flowing to Turkey again on Saturday after a damaged pipeline linking the two countries was repaired, the Iranian oil ministry news website SHANA reported.
Diplomat: ‘Ghosts in the room’ plague U.S., Iran
NPR: John Limbert has deep roots in Iran. Three decades ago, he was one of the 52 Americans taken captive in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution. And last year, he came out of diplomatic retirement to become the State Department’s point man on Iran.
Iran says 3 Americans should stand trial
AP: Iran reiterated on Sunday that three Americans jailed a year ago should stand trial on charges of illegally crossing the country’s borders.
Iraq Shi’ite bloc rejects incumbent Maliki as PM
Reuters: One of Iraq’s main Shi’ite political blocs has rejected Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s claim to a second term and halted government formation talks until his party nominates a new candidate, politicians said.
China, Iran are world’s top executioners
Voice of Russia: China and Iran are holding the world lead in the number of executions. A report published by the Italian group Hands Off Cain, says about 5,000 executions were carried out in China and more than 400 in Iran in 2009.
Iran brands Western media ‘dishonest cocky cheats’
AFP: Iran’s deputy culture minister lashed out at Western media on Sunday, branding them “dishonest, cocky cheats,” who will be banned from an annual press fair in the autumn, the ILNA news agency reported.
Prince Charles called on to block modern Iranian embassy next to historic church
Sunday Telegraph: The Prince of Wales is being asked to intervene to prevent Iran building a brand new embassy and Islamic cultural centre next to a historic church in one of Britain’s most expensive neighbourhoods.
Brazil offers haven to Iran woman in adultery case
AP: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered on Saturday to provide refuge to a woman who has been sentenced to death in Iran following her conviction for committing adultery.
US hikers ‘spy’ case not linked to scientist: Iran
AFP: The case of three US hikers held in Tehran is not linked to that of an Iranian nuclear scientist who returned from the United States, an Iranian official said Saturday on the one-year anniversary of their detention.
