AFP: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned world powers on Tuesday against holding “drawn out” negotiations with Iran on its nuclear programme following the election of a more moderate president in Tehran.
Netanyahu warns against ‘drawn out’ talks with Iran
Analysis: Saudi role in Syria driven by fear of Shi’ite ‘full moon’
Reuters: Saudi Arabia’s former intelligence chief, Prince Muqrin, once told American diplomats the Middle East’s so-called Shi’ite Crescent where the Muslim sect holds sway was “becoming a full moon” as Iranian influence spread.
UNESCO takes Iran’s Bam citadel off danger list
AFP: Iran’s ancient citadel of Bam, almost completely destroyed by a major earthquake in 2003, has been removed from the UNESCO list of “World Heritage in Danger”, a spokesman said.
Syria counts on $1 billion Iran fund to support pound
Bloomberg: Syria’s central bank said a $1 billion credit line from Iran will help to prop up the pound, which weakened after the U.S. decided last week to arm rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad.
Iranian people want ‘different direction’: Obama
AFP: US President Barack Obama said that Iran’s election result showed the country’s people wanted to back away from confrontation with the outside world but ruled out for the moment lifting economic sanctions on Tehran.
Rowhani firm on Iran nuclear policy but vows more openness
AFP: Iran’s newly-elected president Hassan Rowhani ruled out on Monday any halt to the nuclear activity that has drawn UN sanctions but said he hoped an early deal could be reached to allay the concerns of major powers.
Iran nuclear program advances despite sanctions: IAEA chief
Reuters: Iran is making “steady progress” in expanding its nuclear program and international sanctions do not seem to be slowing it down, the U.N. nuclear agency chief told Reuters on Monday.
EU’s Ashton to press Iran on nuclear programme
AFP: EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton pledged on Monday during a trip to Baghdad to press Iran for greater cooperation over its nuclear programme after Tehran elected a new president.
Iran court summonses Ahmadinejad over Larijani complaint
AFP: Outgoing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was on Monday summonsed to appear before the criminal court following a complaint lodged by parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, the government website announced.
Iran reportedly preparing to send 4,000 troops into Syria
Fox News: Iran reportedly is preparing to send 4,000 Revolutionary Guard soldiers to Syria to defend President Bashar Assad’s regime, as the United States intends to supply rebels with small arms through a CIA-run program.
