AFP: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday that the US administration was giving priority to solving its row with Iran over its nuclear programme through diplomatic channels.
US favours diplomacy in Iran nuclear row: Rice
Iran releases former police chief
AP: A government-owned newspaper says Tehran's former police chief has been released from jail due to lack of evidence on "morality charges."
Smugglers had design for advanced warhead
Washington Post: An international smuggling ring that sold bomb-related parts to Libya, Iran and North Korea also managed to acquire blueprints for an advanced nuclear weapon, according to a draft report by a former top U.N. arms inspector that suggests the plans could have been shared secretly with any number of countries or rogue groups.
A partnership with Iraq
Washington Post – Editorial: Though it was hardly noticed in Washington, Iraq's Shiite-led government sent a powerful message to Iran and to the Middle East last week.
Sadrists to back candidates outside bloc
AP: Anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's followers won't field candidates under their movement's banner in upcoming provincial elections but will back sympathetic independents and candidates from other party lists, a spokesman said Sunday.
Iran denies connection to embassy threat
UPI: The Iranian government says it has nothing to do with a group that reportedly has threatened the United Arab Emirates embassy in Iraq.
Japanese tourist, seized by bandits in Iran, freed
AP: A Japanese tourist kidnapped by suspected bandits while traveling in southeastern Iran last year has been released.
Sadr group to boycott Iraq local elections
AFP: In a fresh blow to Iraq's embattled political process, the movement of hardline Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr said on Sunday it will boycott the provincial elections in October.
EU’s Solana urges swift Iranian response to nuclear offer
AFP: The quicker Iran responds to an offer from world powers aimed at resolving the nuclear standoff the better, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Monday.
Bush warns Brown over plan to cut Iraq force
The Observer: George Bush flies into London today with a warning for Gordon Brown not to announce a timetable for a British pull-out from Iraq, and expressing deep scepticism about the Prime Minister's high-profile strategy for bringing down world oil prices.
