AP: Iran and the United States are making plenty of friendly gestures, but real progress is going to be harder. A notable first meeting between the two nations’ presidents suddenly seems possible, but without nuclear concessions the U.S. is unlikely to give Tehran what it wants.
US, Iran talk nicely, but nuke progress uncertain
Iraqi leader denies holding 7 Iranian dissidents
AP: Iraq denied Friday that it is holding seven missing members of an Iranian dissident group following a deadly attack on its compound north of Baghdad earlier this month. The group accuses Iraq of detaining the Camp Ashraf residents and of planning to transfer them to Iran against their will.
White House: Iran overtures ‘clearly not sufficient’
AFP: The United States warned on Friday that diplomatic overtures from Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, while welcome, are not enough for it to consider loosening sanctions aimed at Tehran’s nuclear program.
French, Iranian leaders to meet amid Syrian crisis
AP: French President Francois Hollande plans to meet with Iran’s new leader at the United Nations next week, in hopes that the Islamic regime can help work out a political solution to end Syria’s civil war.
Iranian exile leader appeals for UN help
AFP: An Iranian opposition leader urged the United Nations Thursday to help free seven Iranians she said were being held in Iraq after a massacre at a camp for exiles killed 52.
Iran president offers to broker Syria talks
AFP: Iranian President Hassan Rowhani said his government was ready to “help facilitate dialogue” between the Syrian government and the opposition. We must create an atmosphere where peoples of the region can decide their own fates,” Rowhani wrote in a column in The Washington Post.
US and Iran eye diplomatic defrosting at UN
AP: The presidents of America and Iran may meet briefly next week for the first time, marking a symbolic but significant step toward easing their countries’ tense relationship. An exchange of letters between the leaders already has raised expectations for a thaw in relations.
Insight: U.S. and allies target Hezbollah financing, ties in Africa
Reuters: The United States and its allies are clamping down on suspected Hezbollah activity in West Africa, which Washington says is a major source of cash for the Lebanese group as its patron Iran feels the pinch of sanctions.
Iran minister, UN chief discuss nuclear issue
AP: Iran’s foreign minister and the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon exchanged views Thursday on the country’s controversial nuclear program and its potential role in ending the Syrian conflict, two issues expected to dominate next week’s annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.
Envoys urge U.N. probe of massacre at Iranian exile camp in Iraq
Los Angeles Times: A massacre this month at an Iranian exile camp in Iraq that killed 52 people under international protection was an act of premeditated slaughter and should be thoroughly investigated by the United Nations, two former foreign ministers told the world body Thursday.
