AFP: French energy giant Total will return to Iran, if international sanctions are lifted on petroleum exports, chief executive Christophe de Margerie said at an industry conference here on Tuesday.
Total will return to Iran if sanctions lifted
Iran sanctions in U.S. Senate delayed before Geneva talks
Reuters: Under pressure not to squeeze Iran too hard, the U.S. Senate is unlikely to impose a fresh round of sanctions on the Islamic Republic until after Tehran holds nuclear talks with world powers later this month, lawmakers and congressional aides said.
Egypt suspends tourism with Iran for security
AFP: Egypt’s Tourism Minister Hisham Zazou said on Tuesday that tourism links with Iran had been suspended for reasons of “national security,” state television reported. Flights bringing Iranian tourists to Egypt began under now ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
Israel ready to tackle nuclear Iran ‘alone’
AFP: Israel is ready to act alone to stop Iran making a nuclear bomb, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday, in a warning against rushing into deals with Tehran’s new leaders. “Israel will not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons” Netanyahu told a UN summit.
PACE conference emphasized need for EU, US and UN to secure release of 7 Ashraf hostages
PRNewswire: In a major conference in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe, in Strasbourg on Monday, EU, U.S. and UN were called upon to intervene immediately to secure release of seven residents of Camp Ashraf who are taken hostage.
Iran’s diplomatic overtures more show than substance, Baird tells UN
Globe and Mail: Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird warned on Monday that the recent diplomatic opening by Iran is more show than substance in a strongly worded address to the main body of the United Nations outlining the foreign-policy priorities of the Harper government.
Don’t be fooled by Iran’s charming new leader
Bloomberg: There are two main reasons to doubt the possibility of an Iran-U.S. rapprochement, an idea that gained new life after Iran’s charm offensive at the United Nations last week and a phone call between the presidents of the two countries on Sept. 27.
Netanyahu to Obama: Tighten sanctions if Iran defies West
Reuters: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Barack Obama on Monday to step up sanctions on Iran if it pursues its nuclear drive even as Tehran exchanges overtures with Washington and restarts negotiations with the West.
Vatican Bank likely to close embassy accounts after Iran, Iraq red flags
Reuters: The Vatican bank is likely to close all accounts held by foreign embassies, following concerns about large cash deposits and withdrawals by the missions of Iran, Iraq and Indonesia, according to people with knowledge of the situation.
Iran Guards chief criticises Rouhani-Obama call
AFP: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief said Monday President Hassan Rouhani should have refused a telephone call from his US counterpart, in the first public criticism of the move by a senior official.
