Daily Mail: An Iranian judge sentenced a Christian man to have his lips burnt with a cigarette for eating during the day in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. A spokesperson from The National Council of Resistance of Iran, a political coalition which opposes the government, denounced the treatment as ‘savage’ and called on western countries to take action.
Christian sentenced by Iranian judge to have his lips burnt with a cigarette
U.S. Republican lawmakers seek greater say on Iran nuclear deal
Reuters: U.S. Republican lawmakers introduced legislation on Wednesday that would force President Barack Obama to submit quickly to Congress any comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran and give lawmakers the chance to reject the deal and reimpose sanctions. The five senators introduced their bill just five days after Iran and six world powers announced they had failed to meet a deadline to end the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Maliki rejects Iran’s urging to step down
AP: The recent meeting between al-Maliki and Iran’s pointman in Iraq, senior general Ghasem Soleimani, was the first sign that Iran also believed he should go. Iran was crucial for al-Maliki in winning a second term four years ago, when Tehran used leverage over Shiite parties to ensure their backing for him during grueling negotiations over a government at the time.
IAEA worried about slow progress in Iran nuclear probe
Reuters: The U.N. nuclear watchdog is concerned about Iran’s current lack of engagement with an investigation into its suspected atomic bomb research, ahead of a deadline next month for Tehran to step up cooperation. Western officials want Iran to address questions by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on allegations of past efforts to develop a nuclear weapons capability, something the country denies.
Iraqi leader Maliki loses backing of Shiite figure and Iran for new term
Wall Street Journal: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is losing political support for his bid for a third term from core backers, including the country’s Shiite religious establishment and ally Iran, say Iraqi officials. The shift, officials said, is prompting members of the premier’s own alliance to reconsider their support and dimming the prospect of his stay in power.
U.S. must play hardball in nuclear talks with Iran
Wall Street Journal: As it prepares for four more months of nuclear talks with Iran, the U.S. faces a disadvantage: Even if there is ultimately no agreement, Tehran will pocket the considerable concessions Washington has already made. The U.S. will need to correct strategic and tactical shortcomings by bolstering the credibility of the alternatives to making a deal.
Senator calls for return of Iran sanctions
The Hill: Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) called on Tuesday for the U.S. to reinstate sanctions on Iran immediately and add additional economic penalties. “We should immediately reinstate the full sanctions — and consider additional sanctions — and I have supported legislation to do just that,” Inhofe said at the Christians United for Israel Summit.
Sanctions relief for Iran extended
UPI: The U.S. Treasury Department said sanctions relief on Iran, which includes oil export provisions, is extended through November. Iran under the terms of a November 2013 agreement secured relief from some of the sanctions targeting its energy sector in exchange for a pledge to cut back on its nuclear research activity.
Obama administration is legitimizing Iranian military action in Iraq
The Hill: The Obama administration’s narrative on Iraq this week produced—intentionally or not—two strategic mistakes regarding the U.S. posture on Iran and the current ongoing conflict in Iraq. The first error was when the Pentagon’s spokesperson stated that “no Iranian regular forces” are operating inside Iraq, while admitting that “regime forces” are deployed and engaged in operations. Those comments are contradictory.
Iran’s fingerprints all over Hamas-Israel conflict
Toronto Star: While media have widely reported on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, few have picked up on the significant Iranian connection to the conflict. To begin, it should not be overlooked that many of the more than 1,000 missiles fired at Israelis in the past month were manufactured in Iran, transferred by Iran or built in Gaza with Iranian technology.
