AP: A top nuclear negotiator from Tehran will meet with the head of the U.N.’s nuclear agency next week just hours before agency experts sit down with Iranian counterparts to renew their push for access to sites.
Top Iranian official to meet with UN nuke chief
For Pakistan, more twists and turns in long-running Iran gas saga
UPI: A $7.5 billion natural gas pipeline from Iran to Pakistan that supporters say would help the Islamabad government overcome crippling energy shortages, is under fire, even from Pakistanis, and it’s taking some interesting twists and turns.
Spate of Iran executions after Rouhani election alarms UN
Bloomberg: Iran’s government executed at least 82 people in the weeks after Hassan Rouhani was elected as president in June, according to a United Nations investigator. Rouhani’s government seeks relief from sanctions that have battered its economy.
US pastor home after being deported from Iran
AFP: A Christian US pastor arrived home Wednesday after being deported from Iran for staging a protest outside a Tehran prison, denouncing what he called the “belligerent” Islamic regime.
Kerry calls for action from Iran on nuclear issue
AFP: US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday said “words are no substitute for actions” on the Iran nuclear issue and said it was too early to talk about easing sanctions on the country.
Senators want probe of contractor for possible Iran sanctions violations
Wall Street Journal: Two U.S. senators have requested that the Pentagon’s inspector general broadly investigate a contract awarded to a Dubai company that the lawmakers believe may have violated U.S. sanctions by using Iran as a route to ship goods to Afghanistan.
U.N. envoy says Iran human rights record should not be overlooked amid overtures
Reuters: Iran’s human rights record should not be overlooked amid overtures to the West by new President Hassan Rouhani, a U.N. envoy said on Wednesday as he criticized Tehran for executing 724 people in 18 months, including dozens just after Rouhani was elected in June.
Iran warns Malaysia against hanging Iranian women
AFP: “The execution of two Iranian women in Malaysia will have negative effect on our bilateral ties,” Hassan Ghashghavi, deputy foreign minister in charge of consular affairs, was quoted as saying by official news agency IRNA.
Saudi Arabia warns of shift away from U.S. over Syria, Iran
Reuters: Upset at President Barack Obama’s policies on Iran and Syria, members of Saudi Arabia’s ruling family are threatening a rift with the United States that could take the alliance between Washington and the kingdom to its lowest point in years.
Iran nuke overture: More a promise than an offer
AP: Tehran’s willingness to engage is a big step, but diplomats familiar with the meeting also say significant gaps remain between what the Iranians offered and what the six negotiating powers seek in order to reduce fears Iran wants to build nuclear weapons.
