AP: U.N. nuclear agency officials on Wednesday again failed to reach a deal with Iranian counterparts that would allow the agency to relaunch its probe of suspicions that Tehran might have worked on atomic arms.
UN fails again to reach nuke probe deal with Iran
U.S. State Department: Iran sanctions ‘potentially’ having impact on nuclear program
Wall Street Journal: U.S. economic sanctions on Iran are likely changing the thinking of its leadership toward its nuclear program, administration officials told a Senate foreign relations panel Wednesday.
U.N. watchdog, EU’s Ashton to press Iran in nuclear dispute
Reuters: Iran faces international pressure over its nuclear program in two separate meetings on Wednesday, but no breakthrough is expected with the Islamic state focused on next month’s presidential election.
Iran hard-liners urge election ban on 2 candidates
AP: Hard-line Iranian lawmakers have petitioned authorities to bar two contenders – a moderate former president and a protege of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – from running in next month’s presidential election.
Iran-based hackers traced to cyber attack on U.S. company
Bloomberg: A previously unknown hacking group believed to be based in Iran has started cyber attacks inside the U.S., according to Mandiant Corp., a security company that’s linked China’s army to similar activity.
Iran must free the Bahá’í leaders who have been jailed for five years too many
The Guardian: Today is the fifth anniversary of the unjust imprisonment of seven Bahá’í leaders in Iran. They were jailed for 20 years for no reason other than their beliefs – the longest jail terms handed down against any prisoners of conscience in the country.
Ahmadinejad ally bows out of Iranian presidential race
UPI: A former adviser to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he was pulling out of the presidential race out of respect for the incumbent.
Iran says next government won’t change nuclear policy
Bloomberg: Iran’s nuclear policy is based on the nation’s rights and will not be modified no matter who succeeds President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araghchi said.
Iran says timing of Israel strikes reveals ties to Syrian rebels
Bloomberg: Israeli airstrikes against targets in Syria were carried out after the Syrian government gained ground, illustrating ties between Israel and Syrian rebels, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said.
Iran seeks ‘constructive’ EU stance in nuke talks
AP: Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Tehran’s nuclear negotiator is seeking a “constructive” response from the European Union’s top diplomat in upcoming talks aimed at possibly restarting wider dialogue with the U.S. and other world powers.
