UPI: In a statement issued Friday by the State Department, Kerry said the United States will “pause for six months our efforts to further reduce Iran’s crude oil sales” but will “continue to vigorously implement our existing sanctions on Iran” as that country negotiates with the so-called P5-plus-1.
Kerry: U.S. will ‘pause’ efforts to restrict Iranian oil sales
India accelerates Iranian port project after U.S.-Iran thaw
Reuters: India is sending a team to Iran to speed up work on a port that will provide access to resource-rich Central Asia and Afghanistan, officials said, moving quickly to take advantage of a thaw in Iran’s relations with the West.
IAEA not ready to verify Iran nuclear deal
AFP: The UN nuclear watchdog said Thursday it was not yet ready to verify Iran’s compliance with the recent deal with world powers, as Tehran invited inspectors to the key Arak site.
Democrat: Obama ‘fear-mongering’ on Iran
The Hill: Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, accused the White House late Wednesday of “fear-mongering” tactics to prevent the U.S. from laying additional sanctions on Iran after the two countries reached an interim deal on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran shakes up foundation controlled by Ayatollah’s business empire
Reuters) – A multi-billion dollar organization controlled by Iran’s supreme leader shook up the management of its charity division, appointing as its new chief a man involved in the confiscation of thousands of properties from Iranian citizens.
Quake near Iran nuclear plant kills 8
AFP: A 5.7 magnitude earthquake on the Gulf coast near Iran’s sole nuclear power plant killed eight people and injured 190 on Thursday, emergency response chief Hassan Qadami told state media.
Iran seizes two Saudi fishing boats, arrests 9 sailors
UPI: “Yesterday, the coast guards deployed in the country’s southern waters came to spot two vessels in Iran’s protected waters in the south using electronic and optic tools and equipment,” the Fars News Agency quoted Qalandar Lashkari, commander of Bushehr province’s coast guard, as saying.
Iran says to produce more low-enriched uranium
AP: Iran’s official news agency, IRNA quotes Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s nuclear department, as saying machines which were earlier producing 20 percent enriched uranium will be engaged in producing low-level enriched uranium.
Iran nuclear deal seen pushing Indian rice sellers to cut prices
Bloomberg: Rice exporters from India, the biggest supplier to Iran, may cut prices to retain market share as easing of sanctions on the Persian Gulf nation opens doors for increased supplies from Thailand and Pakistan, traders said.
UN women’s rights resolution passed despite backlash
AFP: A UN General Assembly committee has agreed a landmark first resolution on women’s rights defenders such as Malala Yousafzai. Iran, Russia, China and conservative Muslim states had sought to weaken the resolution passed by the assembly’s human rights committee.
