AFP: An Iranian general on Sunday retracted his earlier announcement that five border soldiers abducted by rebels and reportedly taken into Pakistan have been released, state media said.
Iran retracts announcement of abducted soldiers’ release
Iran advancing its nuclear program despite pact with West
USA TODAY: Iran is moving ahead with a nuclear program that U.S. officials said would be frozen, and it is now clear the USA and other world powers are willing to accept an Iranian enrichment program that Iran refuses to abandon, say analysts.
Iran continues its campaign of deception over its nuclear program
International Business Times: Iran is engaged in a public media campaign of deception to mislead U.S. and European negotiators into believing that Tehran is candidly debating the nuclear deal.
Rouhani tells Iran generals to cut hostile rhetoric
Reuters: President Hassan Rouhani urged Iran’s military leaders on Saturday to let diplomacy prevail in dealing with potential foreign threats, in a clear reference to efforts to end the nuclear dispute and decades of hostile relations with the West.
Iran says nuclear program to stay ‘intact’
Reuters: Iran is willing to address international concerns about its atomic activities but will keep its nuclear program “intact”, not close it down, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday.
U.N. nuclear agency opted against sensitive Iran report – sources
Reuters: The U.N. nuclear watchdog planned a major report on Iran that might have revealed more of its suspected atomic bomb research, but held off as Tehran’s relations with the outside world thawed, sources familiar with the matter said.
US slams armed crackdowns on pro-democracy protests
AFP: In Tehran, where a new more open leadership came to power in August, US officials said “our conclusion is that we’ve seen little meaningful improvement in human rights in Iran under the new government.”
Congress concerned Iran’s oil exports may be up
AP: Obama administration officials faced the prospect of contentious questioning Thursday from lawmakers about reports that China and India are significantly expanding imports of Iranian petroleum.
Iranian oil exports rise in February, more to ally Syria
Reuters: Iran’s oil exports have risen further in February for a fourth consecutive month, according to sources who track tanker movements, adding to signs that the easing of sanctions pressure on Tehran is helping its oil exports to recover.
Senate’s Menendez happy in ‘bad cop’ role on Iran talks
Reuters: The Democratic chairman of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee upset the White House by leading the push for a bill that would tighten sanctions even further on Tehran.
