AP: Iran has agreed to limit uranium enrichment and to open its nuclear program to daily inspection by international experts starting Jan. 20, setting the clock running on a six-month deadline for a final nuclear agreement, officials said.
Iran, world powers reach deal opening nuke program
Iranian-Americans commend lawmakers’ pressing for more sanctions on Iran
PR Newswire: Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) commended bi-partisan effort in the U.S. Congress to strengthen economic sanctions on Iran, arguing sanctions has been a key factor in forcing the regime to come to the negotiating table.
Analysis: Obama’s grand plan for Mideast shrinks
AP: Five years after pledging to remake the U.S. relationship with the broader Middle East and improve America’s image in the Muslim world, the Obama administration’s regional strategy appears to have come unhinged.
U.N. watchdog eyes increased Iran presence to verify nuclear deal
Reuters: The U.N. atomic watchdog is considering increasing its presence in Iran to better handle a bigger workload in verifying Tehran is implementing a landmark deal with world powers to curb its nuclear programme, diplomats said.
Iran nuclear bill would have consequences, nuclear chief says
Reuters: Iran will have no choice but to step up its uranium enrichment if a bill now moving through parliament is approved, even though it has no current need for such highly-enriched uranium, its nuclear chief said on Saturday.
A diplomatic insurance policy against Iran
Washington Post: A diplomatic breakthrough resulting in a peaceful and verifiable termination of Iran’s nuclear weapons program is the preferred outcome of the Obama administration’s negotiations with Iran.
Man charged with trying to send Iran fighter documents
Bloomberg: A former engineer for defense contractors was charged with trying to ship military documents to Iran, including materials related to the U.S. Air Force’s F35 Joint Strike Fighter program and jet engines.
Schumer leads push against Obama on Iran sanctions
The Hill: The behind-the-scenes campaign has put the Senate’s Number 3 Democrat at sharp odds with the White House on one of President Obama’s top foreign policy priorities.
Iran, Russia negotiating big oil-for-goods deal
Reuters: Iran and Russia are negotiating an oil-for-goods swap worth $1.5 billion a month that would enable Iran to lift oil exports substantially, undermining Western sanctions that helped persuade Tehran in November to agree to a preliminary deal to curb its nuclear program.
Iran commander: Hezbollah’s missile power improved
AP: The Lebanese militant Shiite movement Hezbollah has dramatically improved its missile capabilities and can now pinpoint targets anywhere in Israel, a senior commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards said Saturday.
