PRNewswire: A high-level cross-party delegation of British parliamentarians from both Houses of Commons met today with the leader of the Iranian opposition to pursue a humanitarian issue that threatens the lives of thousands.
UK Parliamentary committee meets Iranian opposition leader in Paris
Assad future blocks progress in Syria peace talks
AP: The key issue of a transitional government to replace President Bashar Assad blocked any progress Monday in Syrian peace talks, described by one delegate as “a dialogue of the deaf.”
Iran sanctions push stalls, U.S. lawmakers mull weaker measure
Reuters: An attempt to impose new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program has stalled in the U.S. Congress and lawmakers are discussing whether to introduce a much weaker measure, congressional aides said on Monday.
Talks on Iran nuclear deal expected in NY in February: U.S.
Reuters: The opening round of talks between Iran and six world powers on a long-term deal for Tehran to curb parts of its nuclear program in exchange for a gradual end to sanctions is expected to take place next month in New York.
US plans to sell 24 Apache helicopters to Iraq
AFP: The Pentagon informed Congress on Monday it plans to sell 24 Apache attack helicopters to Iraq in a deal worth $4.8 billion to help Baghdad battle anti-government militants.
Iranian oil tanker sanctions suspended after nuclear deal
Bloomberg: National Iranian Tanker Co. got permission to ship oil to some Asian countries as sanctions were eased, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported, citing the company’s Managing Director Ali Akbar Safaei.
Iranian official confirms country sought to build nuclear weapons
Daily Caller: A founder of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards now admits that the Islamic Republic was seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. This is the first time any regime official has made such an admission, even as another report claims that one of Iran’s most radical clerics was the spiritual overseer of the nuclear weapons program.
Earthquake strikes southeast Iran; no injuries
AP: A moderate earthquake has struck southeastern Iran. The official IRNA news agency reported no damage or injuries. However, even moderate quakes have killed thousands of people in the past in Iran’s countryside.
Syria talks yield narrow deal, Assad ‘red line’
AP: Two days of face-to-face peace talks yielded a narrow and tentative agreement Sunday for women and children trapped in a besieged Syrian city, and the government said President Bashar Assad had no intention of giving up “the keys to Damascus.”
Annan launches Elders mission to Iran
AFP: Former UN chief Kofi Annan, head of a group of ex-global leaders known as the Elders, Sunday started a visit aimed at boosting dialogue between Iran and the international community, media reported.
