New York Times: President Obama sent a secret letter to Russia’s president last month suggesting that he would back off deploying a new missile defense system in Eastern Europe if Moscow would help stop Iran from developing long-range weapons, American officials said Monday.
Obama offered deal to Russia in secret letter
Clinton says U.S. diplomacy unlikely to end Iran nuclear program
Los Angeles Times: The Obama administration has already concluded that a diplomatic overture to Iran, one of the central promises of the president's election campaign, is unlikely to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear ambitions.
Iran confirms detention of US journalist
AFP: Iran confirmed on Tuesday it was holding a freelance US journalist with Iranian nationality in a Tehran prison but did not reveal the charges.
Clinton not optimistic about Iran-U.S. thaw
New York Times: Expressing doubts about one of the Obama administration’s most important diplomatic initiatives, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told an Arab foreign minister on Monday that she did not expect Iran to respond positively to an American offer of direct negotiations.
US: Italian bank may face charges over illegal Iranian payments
AKI: New York prosecutors will present formal charges against one of Italy's largest banks, Intesa Sanpaolo, which is allegedly among at least 10 major Western banks to have illegally handled funds for Iran and concealed Iranian transactions routed through the United States.
Iran wants OPEC “solution” to low oil prices-IRNA
Reuters: Iran, OPEC's second-biggest producer, said a "solution" to lift oil prices would be proposed at a meeting of the group later this month, the official IRNA news agency reported on Tuesday.
Source in Iran views Obama’s chopper blueprints
AP: The Navy is investigating how an unauthorized user in Iran gained online access to blueprints and other information about a helicopter in President Barack Obama's fleet.
Afghan officials say seized weapons made in Iran
RFE/RL: Afghan officials say weapons seized in a depot in western Afghanistan today were manufactured in Iran.
Clinton doubts Iran will respond to overtures
Reuters: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is "doubtful" that Iran will respond to U.S. overtures of engagement when they are made, said a senior State Department official on Monday.
Russian foreign minister: US should talk to Iran
AP: Russia's foreign minister on Monday urged the United States to talk to Iran and staked out a tough position before talks expected this year on a new nuclear arms control treaty, Russian news agencies reported.
