AP: At Thursday’s meeting between Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iraqi counterpart, Hoshyar Zebari, one of the main topics was flights of weapons from Iran across Iraqi airspace into Syria and back as well as the threat from al-Qaida fighters along the Iraqi-Syrian border.
Other crises overshadow growing violence in Iraq
Rouhani’s cabinet appointments belie his moderate image
Huffington Post: As with Rouhani’s election and the content of his first speech as president, his cabinet picks have proven to be a source of excessive optimism in the world media.
Kerry warns of Iraq destabilization by extremists
AFP: US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Thursday that Iraq risked destabilization from Sunni and Shiite extremists as civil war flares in neighboring Syria.
Iran’s parliament rejects 3 Cabinet nominees
AP: Iran’s conservative-dominated parliament rejected three of the new president’s 18 nominees for his Cabinet on Thursday but approved 15 others, including those heading portfolios key to implementing his agenda to reduce the Islamic Republic’s international isolation and improve its economy.
Iran detains Indian tanker carrying crude, wants undertaking
New Indian Express: Iran has detained India’s largest ocean liner Shipping Corporation (SCI)’s vessel carrying crude from Iraq on Tuesday, following which government is engaged in hectic diplomatic parleys with the Iranians to secure release of the tanker.
In Israel, US army chief talks Iran
AFP: Iran’s nuclear programme was at the centre of discussions on Wednesday between US army chief General Martin Dempsey and Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, public radio said.
Iran, Syria: Smuggling weapons to gain influence in the West Bank
Forbes: Though Iran and Syria face many constraints in trying to spread militancy to the West Bank, their quiet efforts are worth noting, particularly as Hamas and Iran are now finding reasons to repair their relationship after a period of strain.
Iran Speaker tells lawmakers to watch tongues in Cabinet debate
Bloomberg: Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani told lawmakers to cool their rhetoric and respect the assembly’s etiquette, after two days of often heated debate over President Hassan Rohani’s cabinet nominees.
Incoming top Iran diplomat backs ‘nuclear rights’
AP: Iran’s incoming foreign minister says he will not back down from fighting for Iran’s right to maintain its disputed nuclear program. Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remarks during a Tuesday confirmation hearing before parliament, expected to approve his appointment later this week.
Analysis: Saudi feud too bitter for new Iran president to fix
Reuters: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah’s disdain for Iran leaps from U.S. embassy cables. “May God prevent us from falling victim to their evil,” he told U.S. officials, according to a cable released by WikiLeaks.
