Reuters: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a television interview, said his country is not seeking war but harshly criticized Israel for bringing “instability” to the Middle East and for questioning his government’s intentions toward nuclear arms.
Iran’s Rouhani says wants peace, blames Israel for region’s ‘instability’
Shelton: Betrayal at Camp Ashraf
Washington Times: While the world awaits a United Nations decision regarding Syria, another humanitarian tragedy has taken place in Iraq’s Camp Ashraf. It was an outright massacre and must not be ignored.
Iraqi envoy ducks Iran exiles questions in online chat
AFP: Iraq’s new ambassador to the United States Wednesday repeatedly dodged questions about a mass killing at an Iraqi camp hosting Iranian exiles during his first online Twitter chat since taking up his post in July.
Iran ‘never’ to seek nuclear weapon: Rowhani
AFP: Iran will never seek nuclear weapons, newly elected President Hassan Rowhani vowed Wednesday, as he reached out to longtime enemy the United States.
Iran’s Sotoudeh says will continue defending rights
AFP: Prominent Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh told AFP on Wednesday she was in “good” condition after three years in prison, and that she would continue defending human rights.
Israel accuses Iran of deception to buy time for atom work
Reuters: Israel accused Iran on Wednesday of using “deception and concealment” to buy time for its nuclear programme, signalling scepticism about the new Iranian president’s move away from the hardline stance of his predecessor.
No bail for African charged in Iran-uranium plot
AP: A West African man was ordered jailed Thursday until trial on U.S. charges that he attempted to broker an illegal deal to ship tons of uranium ore from Sierra Leone to Iran, including a trip to the U.S. with uranium ore samples concealed in shoes inside his luggage.
Iran frees prominent rights lawyer Sotoudeh
Reuters: Human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, seen by campaign groups as Iran’s highest profile political prisoner, was freed on Wednesday, in another sign that hardline policies may be easing under a new president.
US to seize New York skyscraper secretly owned by Iran
AFP: The United States is set seize control of a midtown Manhattan skyscraper prosecutors claim is secretly owned by Iran, the justice department said, though the ruling is to be appealed.
Obama pledges to test Iran’s willingness for dialogue
AFP: US President Barack Obama pledged Tuesday to test the sincerity of signs that new Iranian President Hassan Rowhani may be ready for a newly productive nuclear dialogue with the West.
