Bloomberg: As the minister in charge of Turkey’s $800 billion economy in 2013, Zafer Caglayan was facing a series of numbers that didn’t bode well for coming elections. Inflation was up, growth was slowing and the lira was weakening. One key measure of financial health was particularly worrisome: the country was importing far more goods, services and capital than it was sending abroad.
Turkey sells 200 tons of secret gold to Iran
White House warns Syria against military action in Iraq
The Hill: The White House on Wednesday warned Syria against intervening in Iraq, amid reports Damascus had launched cross-border military strikes on an Islamist group controlling large areas of both countries. The advance of Sunni insurgents also sparked alarm among fellow Shiite leaders in Iran, with Tehran offering military support.
Russia says next Iran atom talks to be marathon, slams U.N. experts
Reuters: Russia’s U.N. envoy on Wednesday said the next round of talks between Iran and six world powers will be a two-week marathon session, while warning a panel of U.N. sanctions experts not to sabotage the final phase of the delicate negotiations.Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told the Security Council that the negotiations are scheduled to run from July 2 to July 15 in Vienna.
Iran hopes for end of sanctions boom but investors still wary
Reuters: With the prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough next month bringing an end to Iran’s international isolation, officials in Tehran are preparing to roll out the red carpet to foreign firms. But a tough legal environment and tricky domestic market mean the hoped-for billions in investment may not come soon.
Iran seeks to resolve HSBC freeze on some trade financing – sources
Reuters: Iran is lobbying to get HSBC to process humanitarian trade transactions that Europe’s biggest bank has frozen because of concerns about potential breaches of international sanctions, sources familiar with the trades told Reuters. Banks such as HSBC are responding to tougher scrutiny over financial dealings with some countries including Iran.
Iran says expects deal soon on Russia building new nuclear reactors
Reuters: Iran said on Tuesday it expected to sign a deal with Russia in late August on the building of two new 1,000-megawatt nuclear reactors in the Islamic Republic, potentially boosting its case that it is refining uranium for civilian energy, not atom bombs. Russia is one of six world powers negotiating with Iran on a long-term agreement to end a decade-old dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Iraq’s Kurds weigh dealing with Baghdad or going it alone
Bloomberg: Iraq’s Kurdish minority may be holding the only winning hand in the nation’s bloody sectarian turmoil. As fighting rages between Sunni militants and Iraq’s majority Shiites, the Kurds are in a position to be deal makers in political talks for a new government or to fulfill a long-held ambition to become an independent nation sustained by oil revenue.
Iran arrests 3 over World Cup video
AP: Iranian police have arrested three people who appeared in an online video of young men and women singing and dancing in support of the country’s World Cup football team. Provincial police chief was quoted as saying the video clip features scenes from outside and inside Iran, including the city of Shahroud, where two 23-year-olds appearing in the film and a 26-year-old photographer were arrested.
Kerry promises ‘intense and sustained’ U.S. support for Iraq
Reuters: Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday promised “intense and sustained” U.S. support for Iraq, but said the divided country would only survive if its leaders took urgent steps to bring it together. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Washington on Sunday of trying to regain control of the country it once occupied – a charge Kerry denied.
U.S. secretary of state arrives in Iraq
AP: Confronting the threat of civil war in Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry flew to Baghdad on Monday to personally urge the Shiite-led government to give more power to political opponents before a Sunni insurgency seizes more control across the country and sweeps away hopes for lasting peace.
