AP: Iran called off further Iraq security talks with Washington until U.S. forces stop their crackdown on Shiite militias, but the military brought more air power into the fight Monday and escalated its accusations of Iranian backing for extremists.
Iran calls off more security talks with US about Iraq
US says talks with Iran ‘meaningless’ without change in behavior
AFP: The United States said Monday it is still ready for talks with Iran on security in Iraq but said they are "meaningless" as long as Tehran continues its alleged support for Shiite militias there.
Top U.S. officer says would prefer no war on Iran
Reuters: U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq would make it difficult to mount any attack on Iran, the Pentagon's top officer said in remarks broadcast on Monday, adding that he would prefer to avoid a new regional war.
Clinton’s Iran threat looks to post-Bush policy
AFP: Hillary Clinton's muscular talk on Iran puts her well to the right of her Democratic challenger Barack Obama in their heated White House rivalry, but could also presage a new US policy of containment.
Iran rejects nuclear inspections unless Israel allows them
AP: An Iranian envoy said Monday his government will not submit to extensive nuclear inspections while Israel stays outside the global treaty to curb the spread of atomic weapons.
Iran ex-president rebuked over insurgent remarks
AFP: Former Iranian president Mohamad Khatami was under fire from hardliners on Monday after comments interpreted as accusing the country's clerical leaders of supporting insurgents in the Middle East.
Hezbollah trains Iraqis in Iran, officials say
New York Times: Militants from the Lebanese group Hezbollah have been training Iraqi militia fighters at a camp near Tehran, according to American interrogation reports that the United States has supplied to the Iraqi government.
Iraq says to document Iran “interference”
Reuters: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has ordered the formation of a committee to compile evidence of Iranian "interference" in Iraq that will then be presented to Tehran, the government spokesman said on Sunday.
In southern Iraq, an upgrade for U.S. facilities
Washington Post: The United States is moving south in Iraq, planning to upgrade facilities at Camp Delta and the Al Kut Air Base, which is about 140 miles southeast of Baghdad and just 35 miles from the Iranian border.
Oil rises on Nigeria, Iran supply concerns
Reuters: Oil rose on Monday, extending the previous session's 3 percent gain to stay above $116 a barrel, supported by further supply disruptions in Nigeria and geopolitical tensions between Iran and the West.
