Reuters: Germany has detained several men suspected of buying technology for a Russian-built nuclear reactor in Iran, opening the door to a diplomatic feud between the European Union and Russia, Western diplomats said.
German arrests over Iran sale anger Russia-envoys
Obama talks to Turkey’s Erdogan about Iran concerns
AFP: President Barack Obama told Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Wednesday the United States would continue to press for UN sanctions on Iran, citing “fundamental concerns” about its nuclear drive.
Factbox: Current sanctions on Iran over nuclear program
Reuters: Following are some details of the sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States, European Union and United Nations:
Heightened security to combat dissent in southern Iran town
Iran Focus: Yasuj, Iran, May 20 – State security forces have stepped up their presence on the streets in the southern town of Gachsaran.
Two hanged in central Iran prison
Iran Focus: Tehran, May 19 – Iran hanged two men in a prison in the central city of Isfahan, state media reported on Wednesday.
Iran dismisses U.N. sanctions draft
Reuters: Iran dismissed a draft U.N. resolution to expand sanctions in response to its nuclear programme, saying the measures were unlikely to be approved and would not break its economy if they were implemented.
“Sacred Defence” memorial advanced as patriotic monuments vanish
Iran Focus: Tehran, May 19 – Art works and monuments paying tribute to prominent Iranian figures have “mysteriously” disappeared from Tehran parks and public squares as officials proceed with plans to dedicate green space to memorials of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.
Mothers of 3 American detainees arrive in Iran
Reuters: The mothers of three Americans jailed in Iran since last July accused of spying arrived in Tehran on Wednesday, with the Iranian government saying it was allowing them to visit their children as a “humanitarian act”.
Text of UN draft sanctions resolution against Iran
Iran Focus: London, May 19 – CLICK HERE to see the text of the draft UN Security Council sanctions resolution against Iran over its disputed nuclear program. The draft text was circulated to Council member states on Tuesday.
Iran says draft sanctions resolution has “no chance”
Reuters: Iran on Wednesday said that a new round of sanctions had no chance of being approved in the U.N. Security Council and vowed that Tehran would go ahead with a fuel swap brokered by Brazil and Turkey.
