The Hill: A second day of nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva wrapped up Thursday with “no progress” on major points of disagreement, a top Iranian diplomat said. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the comments to Iran’s Mehr news agency, according to the AFP.
‘No progress’ on day 2 of Iran talks
Iran deal falters as negotiators cite little progress
Bloomberg: Negotiators weren’t able to reach agreement on a first-step accord to resolve a decade-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear program, reducing the likelihood that foreign ministers will arrive to strike a deal after two days of negotiations in Geneva.
How Bush let Iran go nuclear
New York Times: If Mr. Bush had decided to display American leadership and exercise American power by launching a diplomatic campaign against Iran rather than a military one against Iraq 10 years ago, the United States’ international standing would be far greater today.
Call for investigation into the September killings at Camp Ashraf
PACE: We urge the Iraqi authorities to release these seven Iranians, unless they are duly charged with an internationally recognisable criminal offence; to make sure that they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment; and not to forcibly return them to Iran where their lives would be in danger.
Iran’s comments on Israel deemed ‘unacceptable’ as talks open
Wall Street Journal: Iran’s leader launched an anti-Western broadside as global powers resumed negotiations on curbing Tehran’s nuclear program, injecting fresh uncertainty into a diplomatic process viewed as crucial to Middle East stability.
Iran rejects UN resolution on its rights record
AFP: The Canadian-drafted UN resolution on Tuesday criticised abuses, the widespread use of the death penalty, particularly for minors, and amputations and flogging as a punishment in Iran.
Iran forcibly deporting Afghans, rights group says
AP: Iran is forcefully deporting Afghans by the thousands in violation of its international obligation to protect refugees, a rights group said Wednesday in a report. The report included stories of fathers deported without being given a chance to tell the families they leave behind.
U.S. says ‘very hard’ to clinch deal as Iran nuclear talks resume
Reuters: Major powers resumed talks on Wednesday on a preliminary agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program with the United States warning it would be “very hard” to clinch a breakthrough deal this week and Tehran flagging “red lines”.
Biden appeals to Democratic senators on Iran
AP: The White House says Vice President Joe Biden has stressed to a dozen Democratic senators that the goal of talks involving the U.S., other world powers and Iran is to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Nuclear deal will not just buy Iran time: Kerry
AFP: Secretary of State John Kerry vowed Wednesday that the United States would not let any deal with Iran become a ploy by the Islamic republic to buy time to increase nuclear capability.
