AP: Iran wants a new round of talks with six world powers to focus on a host of issues including its rights as a nation, and even high-seas piracy, instead of international fears that it’s building a nuclear bomb, according to confidential letters obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.
AP Exclusive: Big powers, Iran spar over nukes
Syria expels US journalist to Iran: Syrian embassy
AFP: Damascus expelled an American journalist working for Al-Jazeera to Iran after she tried to enter Syria illegally on an expired Iranian passport, the Syrian embassy said in a statement Wednesday.
Ahmadinejad in bitter row over Iran’s ministries
AFP: A blazing row has erupted between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and parliament speaker Ali Larijani over the restructuring of ministries, media reports said on Thursday, in a fresh sign of tension in Iran’s ruling conservative camp.
New signs of power struggle at top levels in Iran
AP: Iran’s constitutional watchdog rebuked the president Wednesday for trying to merge Cabinet ministries without parliamentary approval — the latest sign of discord at the highest levels of the ruling Islamic system in Tehran.
U.N. says Iran violated arms ban
Wall Street Journal: Tehran has shipped conventional weapons to Syria in violation of a U.N. arms-export ban, according to a new U.N. report, which also concludes that U.N. sanctions are constraining Iran’s pursuit of materiel for nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
Netherlands concerned over rights activist in Iran
AFP: The Netherlands on Wednesday said it was concerned over the health of a Dutch-Iranian human rights activist, sentenced and jailed in Iran five years ago.
Iran’s nuclear program still trying to overcome international sanctions
Washington Post: International sanctions are “constraining” Iran’s capacity to purchase supplies and equipment to develop nuclear and ballistic missile technology, but Tehran continues to actively seek way to overcome the measures, according to a new United Nations report.
Iran to fight ‘Arab Spring’ forces: US officials
AFP: Iran is “fighting a losing battle” against pro-democracy forces sweeping the Middle East but will resist reforms more strongly than did countries like Egypt or Tunisia, US officials said Wednesday.
Russia delivers Iran 30 tonnes of nuclear fuel: report
AFP: Russia has delivered 30 tonnes of fuel for Iran’s first nuclear power plant in the Gulf port city of Bushehr, Tehran-based Arabic-language Al-Alam television reported on Wednesday.
Russia: Bushehr reactor begins operation
AP: The first reactor at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant has gone into operation, the Russian state company that built the complex said Tuesday.
