AP: Iran is forcefully deporting Afghans by the thousands in violation of its international obligation to protect refugees, a rights group said Wednesday in a report. The report included stories of fathers deported without being given a chance to tell the families they leave behind.
Iran forcibly deporting Afghans, rights group says
U.S. says ‘very hard’ to clinch deal as Iran nuclear talks resume
Reuters: Major powers resumed talks on Wednesday on a preliminary agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program with the United States warning it would be “very hard” to clinch a breakthrough deal this week and Tehran flagging “red lines”.
Biden appeals to Democratic senators on Iran
AP: The White House says Vice President Joe Biden has stressed to a dozen Democratic senators that the goal of talks involving the U.S., other world powers and Iran is to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Nuclear deal will not just buy Iran time: Kerry
AFP: Secretary of State John Kerry vowed Wednesday that the United States would not let any deal with Iran become a ploy by the Islamic republic to buy time to increase nuclear capability.
Israeli leader lobbies in Russia against Iran deal
Reuters: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Russia on Wednesday to insist world powers set tough terms for Iran in any deal reached in the standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Senate puts off Iran sanctions vote as nuclear talks start
UPI: The U.S. Senate will put off a vote on new Iranian sanctions that could derail nuclear talks, senators said, as a crucial round of talks was to begin Wednesday. The administration estimates the proposed sanctions relief would be worth $5 billion to $10 billion to Iran.
Top U.S. lawmakers urge Obama to take tougher line on Iran
Reuters: Senior U.S. lawmakers urged the Obama administration on Tuesday to take a tougher line in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear ambitions, saying Tehran should roll back its nuclear program before economic sanctions are eased.
Iran follows in North Korea’s nuclear shoes
Wall Street Journal: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry emerged from the latest round of Iran nuclear talks in Geneva earlier this month to say that negotiators are “clearly further down the road in understanding what the remaining challenges are.”
Rouhani’s first 100 days see no progress on freedom of information
Reporters Without Borders: At least 10 more journalists and bloggers have been arrested since his election victory, 10 others have been sentenced to a combined total of 72 years in prison and three newspapers have been closed or forced to suspend publishing under pressure from the authorities.
U.N. committee slaps Syria, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar for rights abuses
Reuters: A U.N. General Assembly committee on Tuesday condemned Syria for widespread human rights abuses and expressed concern about such violations in Iran, North Korea and Myanmar, but also welcomed pledges by Iran and Myanmar’s presidents to improve some areas.
