Wall Street Journal – By John R. Bolton: This weekend, yet another "deadline" passed for Iran to indicate it was seriously ready to discuss ending its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Like so many other deadlines during these five years of European-led negotiations, this one died quietly, with Brussels diplomats saying that no one seriously expected any real work on a Saturday.
While diplomats dither, Iran builds nukes
Iran ignores key nuclear demand in letter to powers
Reuters: Iran's letter to world powers about its disputed nuclear program does not mention a freeze in nuclear activity demanded by Western capitals to avert further U.N. sanctions, an Iranian official said on Tuesday. Iran parliament approves new reshuffle
AFP: Iran's conservative-dominated parliament approved three new government ministers named by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday despite mounting criticism of his repeated cabinet reshuffles. EU says received Iranian reply on nuclear offer
Reuters: The European Union has received a written reply from Iran to an offer from major powers on Tehran's nuclear programme, an official in the office of EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Tuesday. Iran gets its own way and delays nuclear discussion
The Times: Iran has achieved, yet again, what it wants: paralysis of the international wrangling over its nuclear programme while avoiding outright confrontation with the US or Europe. It may not be able to escape another round of United Nations sanctions before the US presidential elections in November.
Iran says able to close key oil route “easily”
Reuters: Iran can easily close a key Gulf shipping route if it were attacked over its nuclear program, the head of the Revolutionary Guards was quoted as saying on Monday, a move that could choke off world oil exports. Iran tests ‘new weapon’ for use at sea
AP: Iran announced Monday that it has tested a new weapon capable of sinking ships nearly 200 miles away, and reiterated threats to close a strategic waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf if attacked. U.S., UK, France urge more vigilance on Iran banks
Reuters: Iran's central bank and other Iranian financial institutions are trying to skirt U.N. sanctions by covering their tracks and must be watched closely, Britain, the United States and France told key U.N. powers. Big powers renew sanctions threat on Iran
AFP: The six powers holding nuclear talks with Tehran threatened Monday to pursue new punitive action against Iran if it does not accept their offer of incentives to freeze uranium enrichment operations. U.S. says U.N. council must increase sanctions on Iran
Reuters: The United States said on Sunday that Iran has left the U.N. Security Council no choice but to increase sanctions on the Islamic Republic for ignoring demands that it halt sensitive nuclear activities. 