AP: Iran says President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has visited a planned nuclear reactor that’s part of a growing dispute between Tehran and the U.N.’s atomic agency.
Ahmadinejad visits Iran heavy water reactor site
Iran’s ‘democratic elections’ only missing one thing – choice
The Telegraph: To many voters casting a ballot in this week’s Iranian presidential elections, there will be little real difference between the boxes marked “Saeed Jalili” and “Mohamed Qalibaf”.
Iran media praises “heated” presidential debate
AFP: Iran’s media on Saturday hailed the latest televised debate of presidential candidates, highlighting sharp exchanges among them on topics such as the nuclear issue and political freedom.
Iranian presidential debates an occasion for jokes, policy insights
Wall Street Journal: Presidential debates are fairly new phenomena in Iranian politics. As such, Iranians and Iran-watchers follow them closely for a rare chance to hear an uncensored view of what politicians really think about various issues, ranging from the economy to social freedom and nuclear policy.
Iran elections 2013: Rigged elections will blow up in the regime’s face
PolicyMic: The Iranian presidential elections in 2009 remain a landmark event, with an unprecedented uprising shaking the theocracy in Tehran to its core and capturing the world’s attention for weeks.
Presidential hopefuls snipe at Iran nuclear talks tactics
AFP: Candidates vying for Iran’s presidency clashed on Friday in a heated televised exchange over nuclear talks with world powers, with pointed criticism aimed at top nuclear negotiator and hardline candidate Saeed Jalili.
Suicide blasts kill 19 in Iraq, including Iranians
AP: Suicide attackers rammed car bombs on Friday into a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims and a police checkpoint west of Baghdad, killing 19 people in all, in the latest bout of violence to rattle Iraq.
Iran cartoonists on tightrope during vote campaign
AFP: Press cartoonists say they are dodging “moving red lines” in the run-up to a June 14 presidential election in Iran, a country where a satirical image can get a newspaper banned or an editor jailed.
Jordan threatens to expel Syrian envoy over missile comments
Reuters: U.S. ally Jordan threatened on Thursday to expel Syria’s ambassador after he warned the kingdom that Syrian missiles could be used against Patriot batteries due to be deployed soon along their border.
Syria: North Korean military ‘advising Assad regime’
The Telegraph: Between 11 and 15 North Korean military officers are advising the Syrian government forces in tactics and the use of artillery against the rebels, reports claim. The regime is also being bolstered with Russian weapons and pro-Iranian Hizbollah forces.
