AP: Iraqi security forces backed by helicopters raided a Sunni protest camp before dawn Tuesday, prompting clashes that killed at least 36 people in the area and significantly intensified Sunni anger against the Shiite-led government.
Iraq: 36 dead after raid on Sunni protest site
Iran offers to be West’s “reliable partner” in Mideast
Reuters: Iran said on Tuesday that it would be a “reliable partner” in the Middle East if Western countries would take a more cooperative approach in talks on its nuclear program.
US-Israel arms deal to destabilise region: Iran
AFP: Iran criticised on Tuesday a US deal to sell advanced missiles and aircraft to Israel, saying the move will only destabilise the region.
Iran’s wooing of Africa yields scant results as sanctions bite
Reuters: Before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad started a visit to Niger last week, there was talk that the poor West African state might add Iran to its list of buyers for the uranium mined in its remote desert north.
Iran denies link with Canada terror plot suspects
AP: Iran is denying any link with two suspects charged with plotting a terrorist attack against a Canadian passenger train.
Suspects in Canada train plot to appear in court
AFP: Assistant RCMP Commissioner James Malizia told reporters the suspects “were receiving support from Al-Qaeda elements located in Iran” but added: “There’s no indication that these attacks were state-sponsored.”
Israeli army officers warn of Iran, Syria
UPI: It is doubtful Iran will abandon its nuclear program and reach an agreement with the international community, head of Israel’s army intelligence research said.
Analysts surprised by alleged Al Qaeda in Iran tie in Canada plot
Los Angeles Times: Police in Canada said Monday that two men suspected of plotting to derail a passenger train were guided by Al Qaeda elements in Iran, but the statement surprised many experts who study terrorism in the Middle East and Iran.
Iran is biggest threat to nuclear pact’s credibility, U.S. says
Reuters: Iran’s nuclear program poses the greatest threat to the credibility of the global pact aimed at halting the spread of atomic weapons, a senior U.S. arms control official said on Monday.
Hagel, in Israel, presses U.S. agenda on deterring Iran
New York Times: Chuck Hagel opened a weeklong visit to the Middle East by pressing an American agenda focused on deterring Iran — including a significant new weapons deal for Israel — coupled with a strong caution that it would be premature for Israel to opt for unilateral strikes on Tehran’s nuclear program.
