AP: Attempts to find Arab-Israeli common ground on banning weapons of mass destruction from the Mideast have failed, and high-profile talks on the issue have been called off, diplomats said Saturday.
Mideast nuke talks called off
Iran brushes aside new US sanctions
AFP: Iran on Saturday brushed aside newly-imposed US sanctions over media censorship, which it said was essential to preserve “moral values” in the Islamic republic.
Calls for inquest into reported Iran blogger death
AP: A prominent press freedom group has joined the U.S. State Department to demand Iran conduct a full investigation into the reported death of a jailed blogger.
Four killed in Iran train derailment: state media
AFP: Four people were killed and 26 injured late on Friday when a train derailed in central Iran, the official IRNA news agency reported.
US weighs broader nuke deal with Iran
AP: The Obama administration is considering a new approach in negotiations to curb Iran’s nuclear program that would ease economic sanctions faster than previously offered if Tehran makes greater concessions than it has ever discussed.
UN atomic agency to hold December talks with Iran
AFP: The UN atomic agency said Friday it will next month hold its first talks with Iran since August over Tehran’s contested nuclear programme, in a first sign of renewed diplomatic activity since the US election.
Iran says US drone violated Iranian airspace
AP: Iran’s defense minister said Friday that a U.S. drone violated Iranian airspace a week ago when Pentagon says the pilotless aircraft came under fire. The U.S. maintains the drone was over international waters.
Iran’s Ahmadinejad in Vietnam to woo communist ally
AFP: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Vietnam Friday on the first visit by an Iranian president in 17 years, as the sanctions-hit Islamic republic seeks to strengthen ties with allies outside the West.
Iran ex-president son denies being charged with spying
AFP: The jailed son of Iran’s former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani denies reports that he has been charged with spying, the Mehr news agency quoted his lawyer as saying on Friday.
Senators mull tougher Iran sanctions
AP: Lawmakers are working on a set of new and unprecedented Iran sanctions that could prevent the Islamic republic from doing business with most of the world until it agrees to international constraints on its nuclear program, officials say.
