New York Times: As my colleague Michael Schwirtz reported, Iran’s new foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, addressed the crisis in Syria in an English-language interview this week on Press TV, a state-owned satellite channel that exists to put Tehran’s spin on the news.
Iran’s Press TV dodges sanctions on YouTube
Syrian rebels skeptical of chemical weapons deal
AP: Syria’s main opposition group in exile was “deeply skeptical” Friday about Damascus signing an international treaty banning the production and use of chemical weapons, saying a U.N. resolution was needed to enforce compliance.
Iran urges ‘new steps’ from Russia on nuclear crisis
AFP: Iran’s new leader Hassan Rowhani on Friday urged Moscow to help solve Tehran’s nuclear crisis as he met President Vladimir Putin for a key meeting at a security summit in Kyrgzystan.
Iran’s Rouhani says wants nuclear issue resolved, but draws lines
Reuters: Iran wants to end the stand-off with global powers over its nuclear program swiftly but will not sacrifice its rights or interests for the sake of a solution, President Hassan Rouhani said on Friday.
It’s Iran, stupid — how to guarantee US credibility remains after Syria crisis
Fox News: It has become conventional wisdom that the roller coaster of American decision-making on the Syria issue has dealt a significant, if not mortal blow, to American credibility and leadership in the world. This perception is not without good reason.
Afghan Taliban attack US Consulate, kill 2 Afghans
AP: Taliban militants set off two suicide car bombs in an attack on the U.S. Consulate in western Afghanistan on Friday morning, triggering a gunbattle with security forces that left at least two Afghans dead. Herat lies near Afghanistan’s border with Iran with a strong Iranian influence.
Dubai’s non-oil trade with Iran shrinks 12 pct in H1
Reuters: Dubai’s non-oil trade with Iran shrank 12 percent in the first half of 2013, a sign that Western sanctions continue to inflict fresh damage on the Iranian economy, data showed on Thursday. Dubai, across the Gulf from Iran and home to tens of thousands of ethnic Iranians.
Iran’s new IAEA envoy says ‘strong will’ to engage
AFP: Iran’s new envoy to the UN atomic agency said Thursday that Tehran had a “strong political will” to engage with the international community over its nuclear programme. But speaking at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Reza Najafi said that Iran would never give up its nuclear “rights”.
Iraqi government admits to holding seven Iranian dissidents hostage
Digital Journal: Iraq’s Ministry of Human Rights acknowledged that the Iraqi government had indeed detained seven members of the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) for attacking Iraqi security forces at Camp Ashraf on September 1st.
U.S. and Iran are edging toward direct talks
Los Angeles Times: Signaling a possible thaw in long-frozen relations, the Obama administration and the new leadership in Iran are communicating about Syria and are moving behind the scenes toward direct talks that both governments hope can ease the escalating confrontation over Tehran’s nuclear program.
