Reuters: Iran and six world powers are working to finalise the terms of a likely extension in negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme beyond a July 20 deadline and an announcement may come as early as Friday, Western diplomats said. Officials from both sides have said it appears the talks will not yield a breakthrough by the self-imposed target date after two weeks of efforts failed to bridge gaps in positions over a deal intended.
Iran, powers seek to agree terms for extending nuclear talks – diplomats
Senior cleric calls for Nouri Al Maliki’s ouster
GulfNews: The removal of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki would be an “important part” of the solution to Iraq’s political crisis, a spokesperson for one of the country’s top Shiite clerics said. The statement is the first from any of Iraq’s revered Shiite religious leaders to explicitly endorse Al Maliki’s ouster, and is one of a string of recent announcements indicating a more active national role for the usually taciturn clergy.
Obama: Significant gaps on Iran nuclear talks
AP: President Barack Obama said Wednesday that there are “still significant gaps” and more work to do to reach a deal to get Iran to curb its nuclear program. Iran and six world powers have tentatively decided to adjourn their nuclear talks two days early but plan to extend them past their planned July 20 end date, diplomats said Wednesday.
Dark clouds are gathering over Iran
Wall Street Journal: For the last several years, the tendency in analyzing the Middle East from Washington has been to conclude that trends are moving in Iran’s direction, strengthening Tehran’s hand as a regional power and undermining the positions of the U.S. and its allies among the Persian Gulf monarchies. It may be time to rethink that bottom line.
Senators push for 20-year inspection in Iran nuke talks
The Hill: Two influential U.S. senators have asked fellow lawmakers to support demands that Iran accept tough conditions in nuclear talks. “A final agreement with Iran must put in place a long-term inspections and verification regime that lasts at least 20 years,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Robert Menendez and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a letter they intend to send to President Obama this week.
Iran looks to prolonging nuclear talks; U.S. demands cuts
Reuters: Iran and six world powers on Tuesday appeared likely to extend talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme beyond a July 20 deadline, while Washington said the Islamic Republic must cut its capacity to make nuclear fuel to secure a deal to end sanctions.“There are more issues to work through and more provisions to nail down to ensure that Iran’s programme can always remain exclusively peaceful,” Kerry said.
Two pilots killed in fighter crash in southern Iran
AP: An Iranian news agency says one of the country’s F-4 fighter jets has crashed in southern Iran and that the two pilots on board were killed. The report by the semi-official ISNA news agency says the aircraft went down near a lake, shortly after taking off from a military air base in Shiraz around noon on Tuesday. Shiraz is 680 kilometers (420 miles) south of the capital, Tehran.
Kerry says big gaps remain with Iran
Washington Post: The Obama administration is reassessing whether a nuclear deal with Iran is possible despite wide differences over key issues and may seek to postpone a deadline looming Sunday to either complete an agreement or walk away from the landmark effort. Kerry told reporters that “very real gaps” remain in the talks and that officials must decide whether an extension of talks is prudent, based on progress to date.
Iraq Shia militia ‘murdered prisoners’
Telegraph: Abdullah Hamid al-Hayali is a man waging a campaign that he knows could see him murdered. The mayor of the Iraqi town of Baquba has taken it upon himself to reveal the truth about the fate of 46 prisoners, his nephew among them, who were killed in their cells, less than two miles from his home by Iran-backed militiamen. Government officials have pinned the blame for the deaths on the Sunni militants.
Iran nuclear negotiators under pressure after leader’s speech – envoys
Reuters: A major speech by Iran’s Supreme Leader has limited the ability of the Iranian delegation at high-level nuclear talks to make concessions with six world powers and this could scuttle chances for Tehran to reach an accord to end sanctions, diplomats said. In a public address filled with technical detail, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last week Iran needs to significantly increase its uranium enrichment capacity.
