Bloomberg: Iran’s new government, pressing for relief from oil sanctions that have squeezed as much as $5 billion from its monthly export revenue, enters nuclear talks today with limited economic leverage.
Iran loses nuclear leverage as world ignores export drop
Guarded hopes as Iran nuclear talks kick off in Geneva
AFP: A fresh round of talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear programme kicks off in Geneva on Thursday with Tehran saying a deal may finally be possible in the long-running standoff.
Iran prosecutor killed in attack
AFP: A public prosecutor in Iran’s restive southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan was killed Wednesday in a “terrorist attack,” the head of the provincial judiciary said.
U.S. looking for ‘first step’ from Iran in nuclear talks
Reuters: The United States increased pressure on Iran on Wednesday to agree in the next two days a “first step” nuclear deal that would see it halt expansion of its atomic program and reverse parts of it.
Iran’s Zarif charms Paris with smiles, optimism and a rug
Reuters: Iran’s Foreign Minister ended a two-day visit to France on Wednesday, a country he said was the most intransigent among the six world powers – including the United States – that he will face at nuclear talks this week.
UN envoy: No deal on Syrian peace talks date
AP: After a rocky day of U.N.-brokered talks, the United States and Russia failed to agree on a date to bring Syria’s warring sides back to the negotiating table, and the two powers remained divided Tuesday over what role Iran should play in a hoped-for Geneva peace conference.
Iran says deal possible in new nuclear talks
AFP: Iran said Tuesday a deal was possible on its disputed nuclear programme at talks due to resume Thursday with world powers, as it announced the UN atomic watchdog chief would visit next week.
UN nuke agency chief considering Iran visit
AP: The head of the U.N.’s atomic agency is considering visiting Tehran, a spokeswoman said Tuesday, while stopping short of confirming Iranian reports that the trip was set and would coincide with talks on agency efforts to probe suspicions that the Islamic Republic worked on nuclear weapons.
Iranian official: Lift social media bans
AP: Iran’s culture minister is urging authorities to unblock social media networks that are widely used by government figures but remain officially banned, the state news agency said Tuesday.
Hardliners assail U.S.-Iran thaw from both sides
Bloomberg: Preparing for Iran’s annual rally to mark the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy, Mostafa Afzalzadeh said he wouldn’t let recent overtures between the countries stop him from attending and chanting “Death to America.”
