Reuters: When world powers start talks with Iran next week on a final agreement on their nuclear dispute, the main question for the West will be how to ensure Tehran gives up enough atomic activity to ensure it cannot build a bomb any time soon.
West aims to minimize nuclear bomb risk in Iran talks
Complex double game: Iran supporting Assad and al-Qaeda?
Al Arabiya: Since the uprising erupted in Syria— both Tehran and Damascus have been playing a masterful political game with the United States and other Western powers by arguing that Assad’s regime is being targeted by terrorist enemies like al-Qaeda and its affiliations.
Pitt-Bradford faculty member testifies before Canadian House of Commons subcommittee
Bradford Today: Retired U.S. Army Col. Wes Martin, an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, testified via live remote before the Canadian House of Commons’ Subcommittee on International Human Rights.
Iran nuclear talks resume as companies prepare for market access
Bloomberg: The prospect of access to Iran’s $500 billion economy is tempting executives from countries including France and the Netherlands as negotiators resume their slog toward a nuclear deal.
Iran’s defense program a ‘red line’
UPI: Iran’s defense program is a “red line” that can’t be crossed during Tuesday talks in Vienna on nuclear issues, a senior Iranian defense legislator said. He said negotiators need to stick to a nuclear agenda.
BNP sets aside $1.1 billion for possible U.S. sanctions fine
Reuters: BNP Paribas, France’s biggest listed bank, has set aside $1.1 billion for a possible fine for breaching U.S. sanctions on countries including Iran, the latest bank to take a hit to profit from a legal investigation.
Iranian satellite case in NY takes complex turn
AP: Federal agents intercepted the wealthy Iranian entrepreneur at a U.S. airport, questioned him about his business and charged him with illegal export of American-made satellite equipment to his native country.
White House keeping tabs on who views secret Iran deal
Washington Free Beacon: The White House is keeping close tabs on who has read the text of the recently signed Iran nuclear deal, a document that has been marked as “unclassified,” yet is being kept in a highly secured location.
Iraq: Execution-style killings signal return of Shiite death squads
UPI: The growing number of dead men found in the streets and canals of Baghdad, mostly shot in the head, some bearing the marks of torture, is stirring fears Shiite death squads are back in business.
Ros-Lehtinen demands Iran deal be made public
The Hill: The chairwoman of the House panel on the Middle East Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in a letter to the president said Iran appears to be moving ahead with its nuclear program while claiming to be abiding by the deal, which went into effect on Jan. 20.
