AP: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says it would be “diplomatic malpractice” not to test Iran’s willingness to comply with international demands over its nuclear program. Kerry’s comments in Tokyo are his first on the subject since Netanyahu warned the U.S. and the West against trusting Iran.
Kerry: ‘Diplomatic malpractice’ not to engage Iran
Iran parliament endorses Rouhani’s diplomatic gambit
Reuters: Iran’s parliament strongly endorsed President Hassan Rouhani’s diplomatic bid to dispel mistrust at the United Nations last week during a visit which ended with an historic phone call with President Barack Obama, Iranian media said.
No real progress in ‘constructive’ Iran-IAEA talks: diplomats
Reuters: The U.N. atomic watchdog and Iran appeared to make little real headway in talks last week and it is uncertain whether Tehran’s more positive attitude will help yield a long-sought breakthrough, diplomats said on Wednesday.
Rouhani won’t decide on nuclear Iran
Wall Street Journal: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s ploy to persuade skeptical Western leaders that he is seeking a diplomatic rapprochement appears sharply at odds with the some of the policies currently being pursued by his government in Tehran.
Shutdown undercuts Obama defining America’s global role
Bloomberg: Many Obama administration foreign policy decisions, including the reluctance to arm Syrian rebels, the call for former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster, and the tentative engagement with Iran, have unsettled long-time allies, including Saudi Arabia and Israel.
New sanctions likely despite thaw in US-Iran ties
AP: A war-weary Congress generally backs President Barack Obama’s outreach to Iran, but with tougher U.S. economic measures against Tehran on the way, the president’s diplomatic task could get harder if he doesn’t make quick progress.
Total will return to Iran if sanctions lifted
AFP: French energy giant Total will return to Iran, if international sanctions are lifted on petroleum exports, chief executive Christophe de Margerie said at an industry conference here on Tuesday.
Iran sanctions in U.S. Senate delayed before Geneva talks
Reuters: Under pressure not to squeeze Iran too hard, the U.S. Senate is unlikely to impose a fresh round of sanctions on the Islamic Republic until after Tehran holds nuclear talks with world powers later this month, lawmakers and congressional aides said.
Egypt suspends tourism with Iran for security
AFP: Egypt’s Tourism Minister Hisham Zazou said on Tuesday that tourism links with Iran had been suspended for reasons of “national security,” state television reported. Flights bringing Iranian tourists to Egypt began under now ousted president Mohamed Morsi.
Israel ready to tackle nuclear Iran ‘alone’
AFP: Israel is ready to act alone to stop Iran making a nuclear bomb, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday, in a warning against rushing into deals with Tehran’s new leaders. “Israel will not allow Iran to get nuclear weapons” Netanyahu told a UN summit.
