Iran Focus: London, May 22 – Iran said on Friday that it had officially protested to the United Nations against the United States for abusing its position as the host of the world body by denying a visa to its deputy foreign minister. Iran Focus has learnt that the diplomat, Mohammad Mehdi Akhondzadeh Basti, was once a key commander in the assassination of a prominent Iranian opposition leader in Geneva in the 1990s. The full report will be published on Sunday.
Exclusive: Iran’s assassin-turned-diplomat denied US visa
Human rights group condemns political executions in Iran
Iran Focus: London, May 21 – The international community should support independent voices in Iran and “strongly condemn” the execution of political activists there, a leading international human rights group said.
Iran seen influencing Iraqi prime minister choice
AP: Iran is throwing its weight behind Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s bid for a second term, political insiders say, an endorsement that could seal his hold on power.
Iran protests after deputy minister denied U.S. visa
Reuters: Iran has accused the United States of abusing its position as the host of the United Nations by denying a visa to the Islamic Republic’s deputy foreign minister, according to a letter released on Friday.
Iran to hand nuclear deal letter to IAEA on Monday
Reuters: Iran will hand an official letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency chief on Monday about its nuclear fuel swap agreement with Brazil and Turkey, the official IRNA news agency reported on Friday.
Iraqi Kurds accuse Turkey and Iran of attacks
Reuters: Iraqi Kurds on Friday condemned air strikes and shellfire by Turkey and Iran on Turkish-Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq as violations of Iraqi sovereignty.
Moms leave Iran, but jailed Americans not freed
AP: The mothers of three Americans jailed in Iran for 10 months left for home Friday, getting one last chance to embrace their children but failing to secure their immediate release.
Commander: Iran capable of deploying smart arms on borders
Iran Focus: Tehran, May 21 – A senior Iranian commander boasted of Iran’s ability to deploy smart weapons along the country’s borders.
Two Iranians detained in Iraq are freed as moms plea for release of American hikers in Iran
Washington Post: Two Iranians held for years in Iraq were unexpectedly freed on Friday, Iranian news media reported, just as the mothers of three arrested American hikers in Iran were visiting Tehran and asking for their release.
Iranian film-maker to get bail hearing on May 22
AFP: Famed Iranian film director Jafar Panahi, who has been held in Tehran since March 1 and on hunger strike for six days, is to hear on Saturday whether he will be granted bail, his wife and his lawyer said.
