Reuters: Iran’s Supreme Leader described as “stupid and idiotic” Western expectations for his country to curb its missile development, striking a defiant tone ahead of a fresh round of nuclear talks. Khamenei called on Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to mass produce missiles.
Iran leader slams West’s ‘stupid’ missile stance before talks
U.N. nuclear watchdog, Iran to meet before May 15 deadline for progress
Reuters: The U.N. nuclear watchdog plans talks with Iran on Monday ahead of a May 15 deadline for the country to implement a series of measures that could allay concern about its nuclear program that the West fears may have military goals.
Iran’s illicit procurement appears to slow amid nuclear talks – U.N. experts
Reuters: Iran’s attempts to illicitly procure materials for its disputed nuclear and missile programs appear to have slowed down as it pursues talks on a long-term accord with world powers, a U.N. expert panel said in a confidential report seen by Reuters.
No visa for a kidnapper-diplomat implicated in assassination
Townhall.com: A kidnapper-diplomat is an oxymoron—words with contradictory meanings. In this case, the terms suggest that an ambassador has operated outside the rules of diplomacy. Now tack on evidence that he is linked to an assassination of another envoy…
Nitty-gritty time for Iran nuclear talks
AFP: Nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers enter a critical phase Tuesday amid tentative optimism as negotiators start hammering out a draft agreement ahead of a fast-approaching July 20 deadline.
Experts downplay Iran threat to ships
The Blade: Iran made headlines last week by announcing it was building a full-scale mock-up of the nearly 1,100-foot-long USS Nimitz to train against, and that carriers in the Persian Gulf would be singled out in the event of a war.
Iran scrambles to respond to claims it supplied chlorine bombs to Assad
Tower Magazine: Observers have become increasingly vocal in condemning what analysts describe as a coordinated campaign by Syrian to target rebel-heavy areas with chlorine-filled chemical weapons.
Rouhani calls for more open, better-informed nuclear debate
Reuters: President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday he wanted Iran to do a better job of explaining its nuclear program to prevent “evil-minded” people misleading world opinion, two days before Tehran resumes talks with world powers on its disputed atomic activity.
U.N. nuclear agency seeks detonator clarification from Iran
Reuters: The U.N. nuclear watchdog has received an explanation from Iran about the development of detonators that can help set off an atomic explosive device, and has asked for further clarification, diplomatic sources said on Friday.
Iran to become regional UNESCO representative
FrontPage: Iran announced plans to become a regional representative of UNESCO. Who better than a representative of an Islamist regime currently at war with both the Muslim and non-Muslim parts of the region to act as a cultural representative of the Middle East?
