AFP: US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday called for the release of two American dual citizens jailed in Iran, saying Washington was “deeply concerned” about their fate.
US calls for release of Americans imprisoned in Iran
US forces to punish Syria, not push regime change
AFP: US forces are readying to strike Syria, though the West insists its goal is not regime change but to punish President Bashar al-Assad’s government for unleashing chemical warfare on civilians.
Apple eases restrictions on selling products headed to Iran
Wall Street Journal: Apple Inc. said it would begin selling devices to customers who plan to bring them to Iran, following an effort by the Obama administration to loosen decades-old sanctions on the country.
U.N. official urges Iran to sway Syria government on peace talks
Reuters: A top U.N. official visiting Iran has urged it to use its influence to persuade the Syrian government to attend planned peace talks with opposition groups in Geneva, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
Iran ‘to name first female ambassador’
AFP: Iran plans to appoint a woman ambassador and a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry for the first time in the Islamic republic’s history, Iranian media reports said Tuesday. A final decision is expected “within a week,” current ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said, quoted in the media.
China, India raise alumina sales to Iran after sanctions push others out
Reuters: Iran has hiked purchases of alumina from China and India in the past two months as the country scrambles to shore up supply after the U.S. tightened sanctions on raw and semi-processed materials at the start of July.
Iran names new envoy to IAEA, extending makeover of nuclear team
Reuters: Iran has named a disarmament expert as its envoy to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, extending a reshuffle of top officials dealing with its disputed atomic program since new President Hassan Rouhani took office vowing to improve Iran’s foreign relations.
US signals readiness to strike Syria if ordered
AP: U.S. military forces stand ready to strike Syria at once if President Barack Obama gives the order, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Tuesday as the United States prepared to declare formally that chemical weapons had been used in the Syrian civil war.
Mending ties with Britain to take time: Iran
AFP: Iran’s foreign ministry said Tuesday it would take time to resume ties with Britain severed in the aftermath of an attack on the British embassy in Tehran in 2011.
US threatens Syria over ‘obscene’ chemical strike
AFP: Washington warned Syria it would face action over the “moral obscenity” of a gruesome chemical weapons attack, as UN inspectors braved sniper fire to gather evidence about the incident.
