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.
Analysts surprised by alleged Al Qaeda in Iran tie in Canada plot
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.
U.N. nuclear agency in talks about talks with Iran
Reuters: The U.N. nuclear agency is talking with Iran to set a date for discussions on resuming an investigation there, it said on Monday, as Washington stressed the importance of diplomacy in ending a standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran curbs spark trade shift
Wall Street Journal: Iran is accelerating its efforts to buoy its non-oil trade and to find new markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East as it struggles for economic survival amid an intensifying U.S. financial war on Tehran and its allies, the country’s chief economic manager said in an interview.
Iran ‘wants Assad to contest 2014 poll’
AFP: Iran wants Syria’s embattled President Bashar al-Assad to stay on and contest the presidential election scheduled for next year, a visiting senior Iranian envoy said on Monday.
Iran to meet U.N. nuclear watchdog on May 21: reports
Reuters: Iran and officials from the United Nations nuclear watchdog will hold a new round of talks over Iran’s disputed nuclear program on May 21 in Vienna, Iranian media reported on Monday.
Israel praises Azerbaijan’s stand in Iran crisis
AP: Israel’s president has praised Azerbaijan for playing a key role in countering Iran’s influence in the Middle East. Shimon Peres says Azerbaijian, which shares a border with Iran, has taken a “clear stand” against war and terrorism.
Food price hikes raise concerns in Iran
AP: Iranian newspapers warn that a new wave of price hikes could stir greater discontent less than two months before presidential elections. Monday’s reports include the influential conservative daily Kayhan, which often supports the policies of the ruling clerics.
Glencore traded with Iranian supplier to nuclear weapon’s programme
The Guardian: One of Britain’s biggest companies has made millions of pounds selling goods to Iran, including to a state-owned firm that supplies the regime’s nuclear weapons programme.
