AFP: Iran has to take some “tough decisions” as world powers seek to hammer out a nuclear deal, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday with negotiations due to resume next week.
Iran faces ‘tough decisions’ at nuclear talks: Kerry
New hope for Iranian women
UPI: For Iran’s populace and women in particular, however, there have been only two real changes: a change in the regime’s rhetoric and a change in domestic abuses, which have deteriorated even further since Rouhani’s tenure.
U.S. has made clear Iran ‘not open for business,’ Kerry tells senators
Reuters: U.S. sanctions against Iran remain undiluted and Washington has sent a clear message to other countries that Iran is not open for business, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday.
Iran says it’s not an EU colony
UPI: Mahdi Kouchakzadeh, a member of the Iranian Parliament, said Ashton’s meetings were frustrating because she held talks with dissidents convicted of “sedition.”
Western banks cold-shoulder Iran trade finance scheme
Reuters: Despite a diplomatic thaw, Western banks are steering clear of attempts by Iran to get them involved in financing humanitarian transactions, fearing they could be penalized under U.S. sanctions, bankers and government officials told Reuters.
UN chief criticises Iran for executions, rights breaches
AFP: UN chief Ban Ki-moon strongly criticised Iran Wednesday for doing too little to improve its human rights record, noting more executions, the detention of regime opponents and discrimination against women.
Iraqi government continues to deny food to Camp Liberty residents
Iran Liberty: The Iraqi government continues the inhuman siege on Camp Liberty, near Baghdad. It is now seven days that agents of the Iraqi Prime Ministry Office are preventing food supply purchased by the residents from entering the camp.
Iran thaw seen re-stoking $6 billion market for steel
Bloomberg: Even after seven years of international sanctions and the economic pain they’ve inflicted, the Islamic Republic still consumes more steel than France or the U.K. It’s a major carmaker and needs massive infrastructure for its oil and gas industry.
Iraq close to ungovernable
ABC: In Baghdad roadside bombings are commonplace government troops are battling tribal fighters in the west there is even growing strife over oil revenues in the usually peaceful Kurdish-controlled north.
Iran hosts Syria conference of Assad sympathizers
Reuters: Iran hosted a rival version of a “Friends of Syria” conference on Wednesday, convening lawmakers from allies around the world to push for a diplomatic solution to Syria’s civil war and lambaste alleged Western interference.
