Bloomberg: A group of U.S. lawmakers is proposing to intensify the economic pressure on Iran over its disputed nuclear program by drafting the harshest penalties to date on a nation whose income from oil exports has been cut in half by sanctions since 2011.
U.S. Senators seeking tougher economic sanctions on Iran
Iran may have continued weapons research after 2003, IAEA chief says
Washington Post: The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said Monday that his agency cannot rule out the possibility that Iran was actively seeking nuclear weapons technology, citing intelligence on suspicious research by Iranian scientists that occurred as recently as a few years ago.
Stalled talks with Iran over nukes boost sanctions
AP: The failure of negotiations between six world powers and Iran over its disputed nuclear program has jumpstarted the congressional push for even tougher sanctions aimed at crippling the economy in Tehran.
Clueless on North Korea, paralyzed on Iran
Washington Post: In the wake of the Benghazi attacks it was U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice. On Sunday in the midst of the North Koreans’ show of bombast it was senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer’s turn. Pfeiffer merely appeared clueless; far worse he revealed that the administration he serves is entirely hapless.
American Christian suffering in Iranian jail without proper medical care, attorneys say
Fox News: The Iranian-American Christian pastor jailed in Iran for his faith again has been denied bail as he awaits proper medical treatment for serious injuries and internal bleeding sustained from brutal prison beatings, according to the family’s attorneys.
Iraq says inspects Syria-bound Iranian aircraft, finds no arms
Reuters: Iraq on Monday searched an Iranian aircraft on route to Syria but found only medical equipment onboard, in the first inspection since Washington urged Baghdad to help stop Tehran flying arms to Syria, authorities said.
U.S. urges diplomacy in Iran nuclear program
Wall Street Journal: Secretary of State John Kerry said international efforts to contain Iran’s nuclear program through diplomacy would continue even though another round of negotiations with Tehran over the weekend failed to record any meaningful advances, or even an agreement yet to hold another round.
Egypt suspends commercial flights from Iran after protests
Reuters: Egypt has halted commercial flights from Shi’ite power Iran until mid-June, days after the first such flight in 34 years between the countries provoked protests from hardline Sunni Islamists in Cairo.
Lawmaker: Iran will never halt nuclear program
AP: A top Iranian lawmaker declared Sunday that Iran will never halt its nuclear development program, a day after the latest round of international talks failed to reach agreement on the issue.
Time running out on nuclear talks, Kerry warns Iran
AFP: The United States’ top diplomat warned Iran on Sunday that time is running out on nuclear negotiations between the Islamic republic and world powers.
