AFP: Iran’s deputy foreign minister said Saturday the United States no longer has a pretext to attack Syria, following a deal struck to eliminate that country’s chemical weapons.
Iran says US no longer has pretext to attack Syria
U.S., Russia strike deal on Syria chemical weapons
Reuters: Russia and the United States put aside bitter differences over Syria to strike a deal on Saturday that by destroying President Bashar al-Assad’s chemical arsenal may avert U.S. military action against him.
Obama’s larger Syria strategy in disarray
AP: After 2 1/2 years of civil war in Syria, President Barack Obama’s larger policy is in disarray even as his administration, with help from Russia, averted a military showdown for the time being.
Trust in Maliki harms U.S. credibility
UPI: It is hard to characterize the United States’ relations with Iraq in recent years. More often than not, Washington hesitates to hold Baghdad accountable for its continued support of the Syrian president and carrying out deadly raids against the Iranian refugees at Camp Ashraf and Camp Liberty.
Iran’s Press TV dodges sanctions on YouTube
New York Times: As my colleague Michael Schwirtz reported, Iran’s new foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, addressed the crisis in Syria in an English-language interview this week on Press TV, a state-owned satellite channel that exists to put Tehran’s spin on the news.
Syrian rebels skeptical of chemical weapons deal
AP: Syria’s main opposition group in exile was “deeply skeptical” Friday about Damascus signing an international treaty banning the production and use of chemical weapons, saying a U.N. resolution was needed to enforce compliance.
Iran urges ‘new steps’ from Russia on nuclear crisis
AFP: Iran’s new leader Hassan Rowhani on Friday urged Moscow to help solve Tehran’s nuclear crisis as he met President Vladimir Putin for a key meeting at a security summit in Kyrgzystan.
Iran’s Rouhani says wants nuclear issue resolved, but draws lines
Reuters: Iran wants to end the stand-off with global powers over its nuclear program swiftly but will not sacrifice its rights or interests for the sake of a solution, President Hassan Rouhani said on Friday.
It’s Iran, stupid — how to guarantee US credibility remains after Syria crisis
Fox News: It has become conventional wisdom that the roller coaster of American decision-making on the Syria issue has dealt a significant, if not mortal blow, to American credibility and leadership in the world. This perception is not without good reason.
Afghan Taliban attack US Consulate, kill 2 Afghans
AP: Taliban militants set off two suicide car bombs in an attack on the U.S. Consulate in western Afghanistan on Friday morning, triggering a gunbattle with security forces that left at least two Afghans dead. Herat lies near Afghanistan’s border with Iran with a strong Iranian influence.
