Fox News: The “Mini-Me drone” Iran says it reverse-engineered from an American aircraft is a crude fake, according to a new report, making it just the latest in a long line of the Islamic Republic’s phony claims of weapons wizardry.
Iran’s ‘drone clone’ latest in long line of fakes, experts say
Hagel says US won’t let Iran build nuclear weapon
AP: U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel pledged to Israeli leaders Friday that the U.S. “will do what we must” to prevent the Jewish state’s greatest fear of a nuclear-armed Iran. Hagel made the public pledge in a statement at talks in Jerusalem with Benjamin Netanyahu.
Iran recruiting afghan refugees to fight for regime in Syria
Wall Street Journal: Iran has been recruiting thousands of Afghan refugees to fight in Syria, offering $500 a month and Iranian residency to help the Assad regime beat back rebel forces, according to Afghans and Western officials.
Argentine court declares bombing probe with Iran unconstitutional
AFP: An Argentine court declared unconstitutional an agreement with Iran to probe the 1994 bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish center, with a final decision left to the Supreme Court. Argentina charges that Hezbollah carried out the attack under orders from Iran.
Iran pursues ballistic missile work, complicating nuclear talks
Reuters: Despite apparently reducing illicit purchases that breach U.N. sanctions, Iran is pursuing development of ballistic missiles, a confidential U.N. report says, posing an acute challenge to six powers negotiating with Tehran to rein in its nuclear program.
Obama as reluctant warrior backed by combat-weary voters
Bloomberg: As Russia menaces Ukraine, Syria seethes with violence and China flexes its might in Asia, President Barack Obama has avoided military options. He has struggled to rally international coalitions and to reassure allies that the U.S. will be there for them as it has in the past.
Iran oil exports fall in April, says IEA
Wall Street Journal: Iran’s oil exports fell in March having reached a 20-month peak two months earlier, a global energy watchdog said on Thursday, potentially easing concerns that Tehran could breach a six-month cap agreed with the West in a broader deal over its nuclear program.
Clinton: No deal better than ‘bad deal’ with Iran
AP: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was “personally skeptical” that Iran would agree to a comprehensive deal to remove its nuclear weapon capabilities but said the Obama administration faced a promising opportunity that required it to “give diplomacy space to work.”
Barnet’s Anglo-Iranians call for help to protect loved ones from violent attacks
This is Local London: Hundreds of Anglo-Iranians living in the borough have tried preventing further attacks on their people in Iraq by taking part in protests and hunger strikes – but now they want people in Barnet to add their voices to the campaign for peace.
Is Iranian bomb research “mea culpa” needed for nuclear accord?
Reuters: U.N. watchdog findings that Iran may have worked on designing an atomic bomb helped the West tighten sanctions on Tehran which ultimately forced it, U.S. officials say, to enter serious talks on reining in its nuclear program.
