AFP: Iran heads into nuclear talks with world powers this week in an apparently uncompromising mood, demanding Thursday the immediate recognition of its right to enrich uranium and downplaying the chances of direct talks with the United States.
Iran talks tough ahead of nuclear meet
Power struggle is gripping Iran ahead of June election
New York Times: With only three months to go in his second and last presidential term, he has raised a series of controversies intended, experts say, to reshape his public image and secure the support of dissatisfied urban Iranians for his handpicked successor, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei.
Ashton ‘cautiously optimistic’ on Iran nuclear talks
AFP: EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Wednesday she was cautiously optimistic over the outcome of talks this week between Iran and world powers on Tehran’s nuclear drive.
Notable Germans urge protection for Iranian exiles
AP: Several prominent Germans urged the U.S. and Europe on Wednesday to speed the resettlement of about 3,100 members of an Iranian opposition group living in Iraq whose lives are said to be at risk.
U.S. official puts onus on Iran in upcoming nuclear talks
Reuters: Progress in this week’s nuclear talks between Iran and six major powers depends on how Tehran responds to a proposal offered by the six in February, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.
Israel PM wary ahead of Iran nuclear talks
AFP: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday expressed concern ahead of the next round of talks between Iran and the international community over Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme.
Iran’s nuclear program entails huge costs, few benefits: report
Reuters: Iran will pursue its nuclear quest although it has reaped few gains from a totem of national pride that has cost it well over $100 billion in lost oil revenue and foreign investment alone, two think-tanks said on Wednesday.
AP Interview: UN nuke chief concerned about Iran
AP: The U.N’s top nuclear official expressed concern Tuesday that Iran may be secretly continuing work on nuclear weapons while his agency is tied up in protracted negotiations with the country on restarting an investigation into past suspected research and development of such arms.
Iran atomic deal before June unlikely, ex-Obama adviser says
Bloomberg: Iran and world powers are unlikely to strike a deal this week that would lift international sanctions in exchange for a cut in the Persian Gulf nation’s nuclear activities, said a former White House adviser.
US restraint in Syria could aid Iran nuclear talks
AP: President Barack Obama’s reluctance to give military aid to Syrian rebels may be explained, in part, in three words: Iranian nuclear weapons.
