AFP: US President Barack Obama in an annual video message marking Nowruz, Iran’s new year celebrations on Thursday, called on the “entire” government in Tehran to seize on nuclear talks with world powers to end Iran’s economic isolation.
Obama urges Iran to seize opportunity of nuclear talks
Six powers must heed warnings of new UN reports on Iran rights violations
UN Watch: As the EU’s Catherine Ashton concluded what she called “substantive and useful” nuclear talks with Iran in Vienna, world powers need to pay attention to two new UN reports on Iran that document worsening human rights violations, says Geneva-based human rights group UN Watch.
Russia warns West it may change its stance on Iran
AP: Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, according to the Interfax news agency, that Russia didn’t want to use the Iranian nuclear talks to “raise the stakes,” but may have to do so in response to the actions by the United States and the European Union.
Iran fire festival marks end of winter
AP: Iranians jumped over bonfires, threw firecrackers and floated wishing lanterns to celebrate an ancient festival marking the end of the Persian year, ignoring calls by many Islamic clerics to shun a ritual that has officially been denounced as pagan.
US Congress to Obama: Stand tough on Iran
AFP: An overwhelming majority of US lawmakers Tuesday demanded President Barack Obama hold the line on Iran, as a permanent agreement regarding the Islamic republic’s contested nuclear program is under negotiation in Vienna.
Over 2.5 million people from 18 Arab countries condemn Tehran’s meddling in their affairs
PR Newswire: Over 2.5 million citizens from 18 Arab countries signed statements calling for the safety and security of Iranian dissidents in Iraq. The signatories of this statement also strongly condemned Tehran’s meddling in Arab countries’ affairs that have continued non-stop under Rouhani’s presidency.
Iran, 6 powers lock horns over nuclear reactor that could yield plutonium
Reuters: Iran and world powers locked horns on Wednesday over the fate of a planned Iranian nuclear reactor that could yield plutonium for bombs, diplomats said, although Tehran’s foreign minister voiced optimism that their July 20 deadline for a deal is within reach.
U.S. sees no significant improvement in Iran’s overall human rights situation
U.S. Mission in Geneva: While Iran has begun to shift its rhetoric on human rights, the United States remains deeply concerned that Iran continues to suppress free expression and civil society, harass members of its ethnic and religious minority populations, and imprison human rights defenders and journalists for political purposes.
Iran negotiator cancels dinner with EU’s Ashton
AP: Iran’s foreign minister cancelled a planned dinner meeting with the European Union’s foreign policy chief on Monday over meetings she had with opposition activists during a visit to Iran earlier this month, Semiofficial Fars news agency reported.
Iran jails dozens of evangelical Christians
Religious Freedom Coalition: Iran has jailed dozens of evangelical Christians, many of whom are converts from Muslim backgrounds, according to a new United Nations report seen by BosNewsLife.
