AFP: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday the United States and Brazil had serious differences over how to curb Iran’s nuclear program, even if bilateral ties remain good in other areas.
US, Brazil have ‘serious disagreements’ on Iran: Clinton
Preview: Iran spends millions to re-vamp the Bassij
Iran Focus Exclusive: Tehran, May 28 – Iran is spending millions of dollars to recruit new volunteers for the paramilitary Bassij militia following low morale and widespread defections during last year’s nationwide uprising. More to come on Saturday.
Merkel urges Iran to consider nuclear deal
AFP: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday called on Iran to “carefully consider” an international offer on its nuclear programme, and also expressed concern over instability in Yemen.
Leader of Sunni rebel group goes on trial in Iran
Reuters: The leader of a Sunni Muslim rebel group, behind some of the deadliest bomb attacks in the Islamic Republic in years, went on trial in Tehran on Thursday, the official IRNA news agency reported.
U.N.’s Ban urges Iran talks with security council
Reuters: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged Iran to do more to dispel international suspicion that it is trying to build atomic weapons, saying that the Islamic Republic’s enrichment of uranium is sowing mistrust.
Russia doubts Iran’s commitment to nuclear deal: Lavrov
AFP: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov voiced doubt on Thursday about whether Tehran would fulfill the terms of a deal brokered by Brazil and Turkey aimed at resolving the Iranian nuclear crisis.
Government sees “multiple means to isolate Iran, North Korea
Reuters: The United States will pursue “multiple means” to isolate Iran and North Korea if they ignore their international obligations over their nuclear programs, according to President Barack Obama’s national security strategy unveiled on Thursday.
Turkey chides US in Iran row, urges support for swap deal
AFP: Turkey insisted Thursday that rejecting a nuclear swap deal with Iran would be unreasonable and said that a US push for fresh sanctions on Tehran was creating an “absurd situation.”
ANALYSIS-Iran’s Ahmadinejad takes gamble on subsidy cuts
Reuters: A ragged and torn one-thousand Iranian rial note is worth around $0.10 and can buy you a couple of bus rides across Tehran, half a loaf of price-controlled bread, one imported cigarette – or a litre of gasoline.
Russia says Iran was deaf to its nuclear proposals
Reuters: Russia on Thursday rejected Iran’s criticism of the Kremlin for supporting draft sanctions, saying that Russian attempts to resolve the crisis over Iran’s nuclear programme had repeatedly fallen on deaf ears in Tehran.
