Reuters: Western nations are struggling to answer one key question as they assess conflicting signals from Tehran ahead of next week’s big-power meeting with Iran in Geneva – is the Islamic Republic ready to make a deal on its controversial nuclear program.
Western powers ask is Iran really ready to make a nuclear deal?
Iran parliament chief eyes nuclear talks ‘positively’
AFP: The speaker of Iran’s parliament said Wednesday he was looking forward to fresh nuclear talks next week with a positive attitude amid hopes the new leadership in Tehran could herald a breakthrough.
Iranian trade with India hit by insurance delay-sources
Reuters: Oil and container trade between India and Iran has been disrupted due to uncertainty over insurance cover, leaving some ships stranded outside ports in both countries, industry sources said.
Call on President Obama to hold Iraq accountable for the massacre at Camp Ashraf
PRNewswire: The US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR) deplores the failure by the White House to hold the Iraqi government of Nouri al-Maliki accountable for the September 1 massacre of 52 defenseless residents of Camp Ashraf.
Top Iran diplomat in hospital over misquote on US
AP: Iran’s foreign minister says he checked himself into hospital because of back pain and spasms he felt after a hard-line newspaper misquoted him on the subject of the new president’s outreach to the U.S.
Hagel promises Israel to be ‘clear-eyed’ on Iran
AFP: US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has promised Israel the United States will be “clear-eyed” and committed to ensuring that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons as Washington pursues engagement.
Take note of Tehran’s reaction to the West’s action on Syria
PoliticsHome: Qasem Soleimani is notorious for his role as the man behind Iran’s shadowy international terror plots and has been actively aiding the suppression of the Syrian uprising. Some claim he is “secretly running Iraq” and yet few noticed it in the West.
Bagfuls of cash show Iran currency squeeze behind nuclear thaw
Bloomberg: When Mohammad-Reza needed parts for his heater company in Iran last month, he carried a bagful of 500-euro notes on a plane to Dubai and paid his German supplier over coffee in a hotel lobby. Often, he says, he has to use even riskier channels.
Iran confirms British diplomat exchange
AFP: Iran confirmed Tuesday it will appoint a non-resident charge d’affaires with Britain, as the two sides work towards restoring ties severed after an attack on the British embassy in Tehran.
Iran nuclear weapons talks could set off a dangerous chain reaction in Tehran
PolicyMic: In the past month, the media and airwaves in the U.S. have been overflowing with euphoria about the prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran. If a nuclear accord proves to be a plausible, what concessions are the Iranian regime seeking to obtain from the U.S.?
