Reuters: The United States relaxed sanctions on Iran on Tuesday to make it easier for U.S. humanitarian groups to work there and sports exchanges to occur between Americans and Iranians, a possible goodwill gesture after Iran elected a new moderate president.
U.S. loosens sanctions on Iran for disaster relief, sports
Syrian rebels and Iranian dissidents
The Hill: Syria illustrates violation of humanitarian norms against gassing of civilians. President Barack Obama makes a strong argument that Bashar Assad of Syria commits crimes against humanity. But Obama makes little credible case about U.S. strategic interests being advanced by bombing Syria.
Rowhani talks tough on Iran nuclear rights
AFP: Iranian President Hassan Rowhani said Tuesday Tehran will not give up “one iota” of its nuclear rights, echoing his hardline predecessor, while warning world powers the timeframe for negotiation was not unlimited.
Obama grabs a Russian lifeline on Syria
AFP: After a passage of wild Syria diplomacy, President Barack Obama was Tuesday sizing up a political lifeline offered by the most unusual of suspects — his chilly rival Russia.
Iranian exiles say 7 members held by Baghdad
AP: An Iranian dissident group whose camp in Iraq was the scene of a disputed outbreak of violence last week claimed Tuesday that Iraqi authorities plan to hand over seven allegedly detained members to Iran. Baghdad denies having any such plans.
Iran bus collision kills 44, injures 39
AFP: A collision between two buses in Iran killed 44 people and injured 39 others, the ISNA news agency reported on Tuesday, in the country’s most serious road accident in years. The accident took place late on Monday along the highway between Qom and Tehran.
To stop Iran, Obama must enforce red lines with Assad
Washington Post: The Arab Awakening has caused a crisis in the Middle East that will take years to sort out. There is one Middle East crisis, however, that must be resolved in months, not years.
Obama makes case for Syria strikes to skeptical public
Bloomberg: President Barack Obama intensified his campaign to persuade a reluctant American public to back military action against Syria as Bashar al-Assad threatened retaliation “direct and indirect” if the U.S. attacks.
Iran may spoil govt’s plan to curtail dollar dependence
Business Standard: Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily’s grand plan to support the economy by lowering dollar outflows on account of the country’s crude oil purchases might be spoilt, with Iran likely to reject India’s offer of a full payment against trade.
Deutsche Boerse outlines terms for Iran settlement
Reuters: Deutsche Boerse on Monday approved terms for a settlement to dismiss claims from relatives of American victims of a 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut.
