Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Apr. 01 – An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale jolted parts of Kerman Province, south-eastern Iran, on Monday.
4.6 Richter-scale quake jolts south-east Iran
Russia urges Iran to join nuclear talks
AP: Russia’s U.N. ambassador urged Iran on Monday to drop its opposition to talks with six key nations trying to ensure that its nuclear program is peaceful, saying the only way to resolve the dispute is through negotiations.
Observers interpret Iraq cease-fire, Iran’s role
CNN: The deal to end the weeklong fighting in Iraq’s Shiite regions appeared to be holding Monday, but left lingering questions about Iran’s growing influence, the Iraqi government’s military resolve and the chances for more intra-Shiite hostility.
Russia chides Iran for opposing nuclear talks
Reuters: Russia’s U.N. ambassador criticized Iran on Monday for dismissing the idea of negotiating with six world powers to resolve a long-running stand-off over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran incites Cold War with U.S. in Lebanon roiled by Hezbollah
Bloomberg: When David Welch, the U.S. State Department’s top Middle East envoy, wakes each morning, he asks himself, “Is everything OK over there?”
Poll: Iran, Iraq, China top US enemies
AP: China has replaced North Korea as one of the top three U.S. enemies, according to a poll of Americans.
CIA chief asserts Iran nuclear threat
Los Angeles Times: CIA Director Michael V. Hayden said Sunday that he believes Iran is still pursuing a nuclear bomb, even though the U.S. intelligence community, including his own agency, reached a consensus judgment last year that the Islamic Republic had halted its nuclear weapons work in 2003.
Harrowing ordeal in Iran has an unexpected benefit
Washington Post: While thousands of baseball fans tried desperately to get tickets to the Nationals’ season opener — scouring the Internet, vying for company seats or resorting to scalpers outside the ballpark — Elizabeth Montagne was able to rest easy.
US demands to see Swiss-Iran contract
AP: The U.S. has demanded to see a Swiss contract for natural gas supplies from Iran to see whether it violates an American sanctions law against Tehran, the U.S. Embassy in Switzerland said Sunday.
Iraqi troops find cache of Iranian-made rockets south of Baghdad
AP: Iraqi soldiers uncovered a cache of Iranian-made rockets and armor-piercing roadside bombs Saturday in an apartment building occupied by Shiite militia members south of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
