UPI: A military faceoff with Iran is less likely since threats of more sanctions and direct talks lowered the rhetoric about its nuclear plans, analysts say.
Analysts: Iran conflict less likely now
Baghdad talks ‘won’t solve all issues’: Iran aide
AFP: May 23 talks in Baghdad between Iran and world powers focused on Tehran’s nuclear programme will likely not resolve all issues, an aide to Iran’s supreme leader said on Monday.
Iran weighs nuclear work ahead of embargo
UPI: Iran is studying a proposal offered by Russia to halt some nuclear activity in exchange for protection from European sanctions, an envoy said.
Iran nuclear power plant works at near full capacity, IRNA says
Bloomberg: Iran’s first nuclear power plant was connected at almost full capacity to the national power grid on April 28, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported, citing Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, who heads the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization.
Canada closes visa section in Tehran embassy
AFP: Canada’s embassy in Tehran said on Sunday it has closed its visa section effective immediately as a cost-cutting measure that will affect thousands of Iranians.
Iran and Obama’s Syria hesitation
Wall Street Journal: The president fears confronting Assad because of the effect it might have on his nuclear diplomacy.
US pastor burns Korans to urge Iran clergyman release
AFP: A controversial Florida pastor has burned copies of the Koran and a depiction of the prophet Mohammed to protest the imprisonment in Iran of a Christian clergyman Youcef Nadarkhani.
Iran to tap local banks for petrochemical projects
Bloomberg: Iran’s National Petrochemical Co. plans to borrow from local banks some of the $50 billion it needs to develop 60 projects by the end of 2015, the Oil Ministry’s news website Shana reported.
Iran lawmaker: Fighters in UAE are US-Israeli plot
AP: A prominent Iranian lawmaker says the reported basing of America’s most sophisticated stealth jet fighters in the United Arab Emirates is a U.S.-Israel plot to create regional instability.
Iran skeptical but open to U.S. overture on nuclear program
Los Angeles Times: An Iranian Foreign Ministry official says the Obama administration’s offer to consider allowing limited uranium enrichment ‘would be a good start.’
