Washington Post: It's customary for nations to do a bit of chest-thumping as they are about to begin negotiations, which Iran has agreed to consider in a meeting next week with European Union official Javier Solana. The idea is to do something that your opponents will see as a sign of strength before talks begin, especially, in this case, when the talks involve your nuclear program.
Iran apparently in possession of Photoshop
Lawmaker wants review of US exports to Iran
AP: A lawmaker will seek a broad review of exports to Iran to see whether exemptions to U.S. trade sanctions are being abused. Cigarettes, bull semen and other goods have gone Iran's way as exports grew during President Bush's time in office.
McCain ‘right’ of Bush on Iran, Iraq, Holbrooke says
Bloomberg: John McCain would take a "harder line" toward Iraq, Iran and Russia than the Bush administration, said Richard Holbrooke, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
One missile too many
ABC News: Iran Doctored the Photo to Hide Failure of One Missle to Launch. It was the shot that captured the imaginations of picture editors all over the world. It provided a bold picture lead for the Los Angeles Times, the Financial Times, the Chicago Tribune and a host of leading news Web sites across the world.
EU expresses concern over Iran missile tests
Reuters: The European Union raised concerns on Friday over Iran's announcement this week that it conducted missile tests, and stepped up calls on it to suspend uranium enrichment within its disputed nuclear programme.
UN chief urges Iran to nuclear talks amid warnings over tests
AFP: UN chief Ban Ki-moon issued a fresh appeal for Iran to suspend nuclear enrichment work as Washington warned Tehran to cease its "provocative" missile tests.
Iran to hold nuclear talks with EU’s Solana
Reuters: Iran's chief nuclear negotiator will meet European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Geneva on July 19 for talks on Iran's disputed nuclear programme, an Iranian national security official said on Friday.
Iran says Solana nuclear talks July 19 in Geneva
AFP: Iran said on Friday that its top nuclear negotiator and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana will hold their next talks on ending the nuclear standoff on July 19, despite Western anger over the test-firing of several missiles by Tehran.
Iran tests seen to prove U.S. shield not needed
Reuters: Russia said on Friday Iran's missile tests showed there is no military justification for U.S. plans to deploy missile defences in eastern Europe because Tehran's rockets cannot travel that far.
Senate confirms Petraeus as top Mideast commander
AFP: The US Senate on Thursday voted to confirm the promotion of General David Petraeus, currently the top US general in Iraq, to head all US operations in the Middle East, including the war in Afghanistan.
