AFP: Officials from Iran and Britain, France and Germany were due Thursday to hold nuclear talks in Vienna towards reaching a potentially historic accord by November. The three European countries form part of a six-nation group including the United States, Russia and China due to resume negotiations with Iran in New York on September 18.
Iran, European countries hold nuclear talks in Vienna
Iran says IAEA nuclear inquiry not stalled, will address concerns
Reuters: Iran said on Tuesday it would still address concerns about its nuclear programme, even though it missed a deadline last month for providing information about its suspected atomic bomb research. Western diplomats have often accused Iran of stonewalling the IAEA, but Najafi said: “There is no deadlock. We are sure we can implement that … We are ready to complete that.”
Kerry to arrive in Gulf for talks on tackling Islamic State
AFP: US Secretary of State John Kerry is set to arrive in the Gulf on Wednesday to help build a broad coalition against jihadists in Iraq and Syria that has already won support from Arab nations. Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia is to host talks on Thursday between Kerry and ministers from 10 Arab states and Turkey on joint action against the Islamic State (IS) group.
Russian officials in Iran to boost economic ties
AP: Russian officials have traveled to Iran’s capital to boost economic ties between the two countries. Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh and Alexander Novak Minister of Energy of Russian Federation oversaw a meeting Tuesday of businessmen in Tehran, calling on them to increase trade.
Iraqi parliament approves partial new Cabinet
AP: Iraq’s parliament officially named Haider al-Abadi the country’s new prime minister late Monday and approved most of his proposed Cabinet. Lawmakers approved all of the candidates proposed for Iraq’s new government, with the exception of a few posts, namely the defense and interior ministers. Al-Abadi requested an additional week to name them.
Ashton: Gap with Iran over nuclear programme can be narrowed
Reuters: Iran is far apart from the six world powers negotiating with it over scaling back its nuclear programme, but that gap could be narrowed in talks next week, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Monday. Iran and the powers failed to meet a July 20 target date for an agreement and are due to hold their first negotiating round since then in New York on Sept. 18.
Iran’s supreme leader undergoes prostate surgery
AP: Iran’s supreme leader underwent prostate surgery on Monday at a government hospital in Tehran, state media said in a rare report on the state of health of the country’s top cleric. The 75-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters in Iran and has been the country’s top leader since 1989, was reported to be recovering.
Iraq parliament to convene for government vote
AFP: Iraq’s parliament is to meet on Monday to vote on a new government in a key moment for the country which is battling to regain territory from jihadist-led militants. “The Council of Representatives will hold a session… to form the government,” said an invitation from parliament for media to attend. If a government is not agreed, this will mean a return to the start of the contentious process.
Henry Kissinger: Iran ‘a bigger problem than ISIS’
Huffington Post: In an interview with NPR Kissinger explained that because Iran has a stronger footing in the Middle East, it has a greater opportunity to create an empire. “The borders of the settlement of 1919-’20 are essentially collapsing,” he said. “That gives Iran a very powerful level from a strategic point of view. I consider Iran a bigger problem than ISIS.”
Iran fails to address nuclear bomb concerns – IAEA
Reuters: Iran has failed to address concerns about suspected atomic bomb research by an agreed deadline, the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Friday, a setback to hopes for an end to an international stand-off over Tehran’s atomic activity. The lack of movement in an inquiry by the International Atomic Energy Agency will disappoint the West.
