Canadian Press: Iran denied accusations that two of its diplomats rejected for ambassadorial posts in Canada were involved in the 1979 hostage crisis that saw Americans kidnapped for over a year.
Proposed envoys had no link to 1979 hostage crisis, Iran insists
Report on Iran likely to have fallout at U.N.
New York Sun: As America and its allies attempt to minimize the fallout from this week’s intelligence report discounting the threat of Iran’s nuclear program, diplomats here say they expect the report to hinder their attempt to add muscle to the diplomatic goal of isolating the mullah regime.
Review of Iran intelligence to be sought
Washington Post: Senate Republicans are planning to call for a congressional commission to investigate the conclusions of the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran as well as the specific intelligence that went into it, according to congressional sources.
Despite report, France and Germany keep pressure on Iran
New York Times: The leaders of France and Germany said Thursday that Iran remained a danger and that other nations needed to keep up the pressure over its nuclear program despite a United States intelligence reports conclusion that Tehran was no longer building a bomb.
EU, NATO ministers agree to maintain pressure on Iran
Bloomberg: Foreign ministers from European Union and NATO countries agreed to maintain pressure on Iran with a new round of United Nations sanctions because the country continues to seek material that could be used in a nuclear bomb.
Basra police chief doubts security
AP: The police chief of Iraq’s southern Basra province acknowledged Thursday that his forces lack the means to maintain security in the region after a British troop withdrawal later this month.
White House seeks to clarify Iran stance
AP: The White House sought Thursday to clarify remarks on the new intelligence report on Iran by President Bush that have been called into question.
Rice seeks Russian backing on Iran
AP: Armed with the full support of NATO allies, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will try to convince a skeptical Russia that it should back U.S. plans to step up pressure on Iran to suspend its nuclear activities.
US presses Iran over missing man
AFP: The US government demanded Thursday more information from Iran about the fate of a missing former FBI agent as his family prepared to travel to Tehran with State Department blessing.
Doves find fault with Iran report too
Los Angeles Times: Moderate and liberal foreign policy experts said that U.S. intelligence agencies, possibly eager to demonstrate independence from White House political pressure, may have produced a National Intelligence Estimate that is more reassuring than it should be on the potential risks of the Iranian nuclear program.
