Reuters: Iran will not bow to international pressure to halt its nuclear program, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday, after world powers told Tehran to halt uranium enrichment or face a third round of U.N. sanctions.
Ahmadinejad again rules out Iran nuclear work halt
Rice breaks the ice with Syria, but not Iran
The Guardian: Efforts to stabilise Iraq by involving its neighbours in talks brought Condoleezza Rice together with Syria’s foreign minister yesterday for an ice-breaking meeting but talks with her Iranian opposite number, Manouchehr Mottaki, failed to happen.
Support growing for wider trade curbs on Iran
Reuters: Support is growing in the United States and Russia for action that would require European companies to curb business in Iran as a means of pressuring Tehran to end its nuclear programs, U.S. and other diplomatic sources said on Thursday.
In Iran, tactics of fashion police raise concerns
New York Times: Only days after Irans annual crackdown on immodest dress began in mid-April, with teams of police officers stopping women in major squares and subway stations to warn them about their attire, the security authorities came under fire.
Lawmakers decry Iran-India alliance
Washington Post: Key congressional supporters of closer ties with India have signed a toughly worded bipartisan letter to the Indian prime minister warning of “grave concern” that India’s ties with Iran “have the potential to significantly harm prospects” for a nuclear cooperation deal that President Bush reached with India in 2005.
Major powers warn Iran of possible new sanctions
Reuters: World powers warned Iran on Wednesday a third round of U.N. sanctions loomed if it did not halt its uranium enrichment work, which the West suspects could be used to build nuclear weapons.
Nuclear treaty talks suspended over Iran objection
Reuters: A meeting of 130 nations on how to shore up the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was suspended on Wednesday for 24 hours so diplomats could try and overcome a stand-off triggered by Iran’s objections to the agenda.
US hopes for breakthrough talks with Iran
The Independent: The most important meeting between American and Iranian officials since George Bush became President office in 2001 could take place today.
Iran arrests former nuclear negotiator
AP: Iranian authorities have arrested the country’s former nuclear negotiator, an ally of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s predecessor and key rival, and he reportedly could face an espionage charge.
Rice warns Iraq neighbours region’s stability at stake
AFP: US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iraq’s neighbours on Wednesday that the entire Middle East’s stability was at stake in the upcoming international conference to be held in Egypt.
