PRNewswire: In a major conference in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe, in Strasbourg on Monday, EU, U.S. and UN were called upon to intervene immediately to secure release of seven residents of Camp Ashraf who are taken hostage.
PACE conference emphasized need for EU, US and UN to secure release of 7 Ashraf hostages
Iran’s diplomatic overtures more show than substance, Baird tells UN
Globe and Mail: Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird warned on Monday that the recent diplomatic opening by Iran is more show than substance in a strongly worded address to the main body of the United Nations outlining the foreign-policy priorities of the Harper government.
Don’t be fooled by Iran’s charming new leader
Bloomberg: There are two main reasons to doubt the possibility of an Iran-U.S. rapprochement, an idea that gained new life after Iran’s charm offensive at the United Nations last week and a phone call between the presidents of the two countries on Sept. 27.
Netanyahu to Obama: Tighten sanctions if Iran defies West
Reuters: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Barack Obama on Monday to step up sanctions on Iran if it pursues its nuclear drive even as Tehran exchanges overtures with Washington and restarts negotiations with the West.
Vatican Bank likely to close embassy accounts after Iran, Iraq red flags
Reuters: The Vatican bank is likely to close all accounts held by foreign embassies, following concerns about large cash deposits and withdrawals by the missions of Iran, Iraq and Indonesia, according to people with knowledge of the situation.
Iran Guards chief criticises Rouhani-Obama call
AFP: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief said Monday President Hassan Rouhani should have refused a telephone call from his US counterpart, in the first public criticism of the move by a senior official.
EU plays down deadline for Iran talks
AFP: EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Monday played down Iran’s calls for a nuclear accord within a year, saying that technical work will take time. Ashton said it was critical to convince “those who are most worried and most skeptical.”
Biden: Iran sanctions most effective in history
AP: Vice President Joe Biden says U.S.-led sanctions against Iran have been the most effective sanctions regime ever. Biden says Iran has a choice. He says Iran can suffer deepening economic sanctions or negotiate its way back into the global community and economy.
U.S. aims to ease doubt on Iran talks
Wall Street Journal: President Barack Obama is ramping up efforts to sell his diplomatic drive with Iran to skeptical Middle East allies and to Congress, starting with a crucial meeting at the White House on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Rouhani enjoys Iran backing that matters as foes reject call
Boloomberg: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, whose public support after a trip to the U.S. outweighed the detractors that tried to pelt his convoy with eggs, also has backing from the one who matters most: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
