Reuters: Austrian President Heinz Fischer has ‘in principle’ accepted an invitation to visit Iran, his office said on Wednesday, in what would be the first trip for many years by a Western head of state.
Austrian president poised for rare Western visit to Iran
Iran, six powers start expert-level nuclear talks in Vienna
Reuters: Iran and six world powers began an expert-level meeting about Tehran’s nuclear program on Thursday, part of efforts to reach an agreement by late July on how to resolve a decade-old dispute that has stirred fears of a Middle East war.
Christian prisoner in Iran protests harsh treatment with hunger strike
Morning Star News: A convert from Islam in Iran sentenced to serve almost four years in prison for Christian activities has gone on a hunger strike to protest the government’s refusal to grant his request for release, religious freedom advocates said.
West, Middle East powers warn against Syria election
AFP: Eleven Western and Middle Eastern powers on Thursday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against holding elections, saying that the vote would have no credibility amid the country’s brutal civil war.
Iranian resistance denounces ‘terror-master’ diplomat
InsideEmbassyRow: The exiled Iranian resistance Thursday accused Iran’s U.N. ambassador of coordinating the 1993 assassination of a leading Iranian dissident in Rome and called on international authorities to file criminal charges against the diplomat.
Treasury official: Firms not in new deals with Iran after pact
Reuters: The top U.S. Treasury Department official responsible for sanctions said on Wednesday there is no evidence that any companies are taking advantage of a preliminary nuclear agreement with Iran by reaching new deals in Iran.
Iran, Russia working to seal $20 billion oil-for-goods deal
Reuters: Iran and Russia have made progress toward an oil-for-goods deal that sources said could be worth up to $20 billion and enable Tehran to boost vital energy exports in defiance of Western sanctions, people familiar with the negotiations told Reuters.
Lawmakers push sanctions chief to take more money
Wall Street Journal: Members of the Appropriations Committee expressed concerns that the U.S. Treasury office that pursues sanctions against Iran and North Korea might be stretched too thin, as the administration begins to punish Russia over Ukraine.
Iranians avoid bad luck with outdoor festival
AP: Iranians flocked to parks rich with the smell of grilled kebabs on Wednesday to toss around
Frisbees, bat badminton birdies and battle one another in chess and backgammon – all to avoid being caught inside on the unlucky 13th day of the Persian New Year.
U.S. regulators warn banks about rise in cyber-attacks
Reuters: In 2012, Ally financial Inc, Bank of America Corp, Wells Fargo & Co and other banks suffered denial of service attacks. Sources at the time told Reuters the attacks could be part of a year-long cyber campaign waged by Iranian hackers to protest against an anti-Islam video on the Internet.
