AFP: Iran and the United States are to establish a joint chamber of commerce within a month, with direct flights also planned, an Iranian official said Wednesday in a newspaper report. Flights would connect Kish Island in southwest Iran with New York, he said.
Iran, US to open joint chamber of commerce
Iraq says no success tracing killers of Iranian dissidents
Reuters: “From the onset, the Iranian resistance had announced that the purported investigation by the government of Iraq has been devoid of any legitimacy and nowhere in the world would the culprit and suspect be in charge of investigation,” NCRI spokesman Shahin Gobadi said in a statement.
Crude traders skeptical Iran deal will bolster oil supplies
Bloomberg: Crude traders are skeptical that the accord loosening some economic sanctions against Iran in return for limiting nuclear work will lead to a surge in oil supply from what was once OPEC’s second-biggest producer.
Iran hard-liners criticize Geneva deal
AP: Hard-line lawmaker Ruhollah Hosseinian said the deal was so vague and conditional that it may finally lead to a shutting down of Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Hamid Resaei, another hard-line lawmaker, has called deal “a poison chalice.”
Obama’s Iran deal strains efforts from Israel to Syria
Bloomberg: President Barack Obama’s agreement with Iran is part of a high-stakes set of diplomatic initiatives that is unnerving Middle East allies concerned that his goal is to reduce U.S. commitments in the region. The issues in play have the potential to alter regional politics whatever the outcomes.
Dem to Obama: Don’t fix Iran’s airplanes
The Hill: A senior Democrat is lashing out at a provision of the nuclear deal with Iran that could make it easier for the country to repair its aging fleet of civilian aircraft. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) says the planes could be used to promote terrorism and support Syria’s Bashar Assad.
Obama, Senate spar over new Iran sanctions threats
AP: An agreement secured with its greatest global foe, the Obama administration pleaded Tuesday with a more familiar if often difficult negotiating partner not to scuttle last weekend’s Iran nuclear deal: Congress.
Swiss firm hit with record fine for oil sanctions violations
The Hill: A Swiss firm will pay a record $100 million fine for violating oil sanctions targeting Iran, Sudan and Cuba, the Obama administration announced Tuesday. The settlement agreed to by oil services giant Weatherford International is the largest ever with the government outside of the banking industry.
FBI agent missing in Iran now longest US hostage
AFP: Retired FBI agent Robert Levinson on Tuesday became the longest-held hostage in US history, with his family and US officials appealing to the new Iranian leadership for help in finding and releasing him.
Syria opposition to take full possession of Arab League seat
AFP: Ahmad Jarba, speaking at a news conference with Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi, also said the Coalition would hold a meeting sometime next month to discuss strategy ahead of a peace conference scheduled for January 22 in Geneva.
