AFP: Diplomacy and unity among the world’s “great democracies” are key to ensuring Iran meets its international obligations, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in an interview broadcast on Sunday. The Islamic Republic had become a major obstacle to peace and stability in the Middle East and must be prevented from developing nuclear weapons, she told BBC television. Diplomacy, unity key to solving Iran problem: Rice
AFP: Diplomacy and unity among the world’s “great democracies” are key to ensuring Iran meets its international obligations, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in an interview broadcast on Sunday. The Islamic Republic had become a major obstacle to peace and stability in the Middle East and must be prevented from developing nuclear weapons, she told BBC television. US backs European effort on Iran but keeping options open: Cheney
AFP: The United States backs a diplomatic effort by European nations to try to persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear program but has not “eliminated any alternative,” US Vice President Dick Cheney said Sunday. “I think there’s a good-faith effort under way by our European allies to try to resolve this issue diplomatically. UN women’s rights official raps Iran over abuses
AFP: The UN’s top official on women’s rights chastised Iran on Sunday over what she said were abuses and discrimination built in to the Islamic Republic’s laws. “In the family, women face psychological, physical and sexual violence, and gender discrimination,” said Yakin Erturk, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women.
Iran would accelerate nuke programme if attacked
Reuters: Iran would both retaliate and accelerate its drive to master nuclear technology if the United States or Israel attacked its atomic facilities, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator warned on Sunday. Hassan Rohani, secretary-general of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, also told Reuters there was nothing the West could offer Tehran that would persuade it to scrap a nuclear programme which Washington fears may … Iran rejects EU demands it scrap nuclear enrichment
Reuters: Iran, accused by Washington of developing nuclear arms, has rejected European demands to abandon key atomic processes that could be used to make weapons, Iranian and Western diplomats say. On the eve of a third round of talks with Iran in Geneva on Tuesday, France, Britain and Germany are faced with the task of persuading Iran to transform a temporary suspension of its nuclear fuel production programme into a permanent cessation. Mullahs tighten grip as US looks to Iran
Scotland on Sunday: SABRE-rattling by George W Bush against Iran as the worlds primary state sponsor of terrorism has given the mullahs who run the country the opportunity to crack down on dissenting voices. With parliament firmly in their grip, the hardliners in the Tehran theocracy have increased pressure on moderate-minded politicians, journalists, writers and internet bloggers. Rice keeps up heat on Iran as she heads for Middle East talks
The Independent: Condoleezza Rice sought to keep the pressure on Iran yesterday as she raced around Europe and the Middle East on her inaugural tour as US Secretary of State, urging Russia to withhold fuel from Tehran to stop what Washington says is the country’s drive to build a nuclear bomb. Ms Rice, who congratulated Poland on its “extraordinary” contribution in Iraq during a three-hour visit to Warsaw, flew on to Turkey and a meeting with her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. Detained Iranians Reject Release Terms
Los Angeles Times: Four Iranian brothers jailed for more than three years as threats to U.S. national security have rejected a government offer of freedom, choosing to remain locked up rather than accept some of the restrictions governing their release. Arrests reported in Ukraine for arms sales to Iran, China
AP: A government investigation into lucrative illicit weapons sales by officials loyal to former President Leonid Kuchma has led to secret indictments or arrests of at least six arms dealers accused of selling nuclear-capable missiles to Iran and China, a high-ranking intelligence official said Friday. The deals, which violate international non-proliferation treaties, put pressure on Ukraine’s new president to halt the country’s …
Opposition calls rally-ban by France goodwill gesture to Iran
Iran Focus: Paris, Feb. 05 – Iran’s main opposition group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, issued a statement today condemning the French government’s decision to ban a peaceful protest by Iranian exiles in Paris against the dictatorship ruling Iran, despite prior approval. The NCRI called France’s decision to cancel the rally “kowtowing to the demands of the medieval regime seeking to expand its repression from Tehran to Paris”, adding “French officials …
