AFP: The United States on Monday played down the importance of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s visit to Tehran, but urged Iran to be a better neighbor to Iraq.
US plays down importance of Maliki visit to Iran
Three Iranian footballers risk jail for kissing woman
Reuters: Three Iranian football players are facing jail for kissing a woman fan in the Islamic state where physical contact between unrelated men and women is legally forbidden, an Iranian website reported on Monday.
U.S. envoy to meet with Iran’s neighbors
Wall Street Journal: The Obama administration dispatched its point man on Iran sanctions to Turkey and Azerbaijan, as the U.S. attempts to further constrict trade flows between Tehran and its closest neighbors.
Namibian uranium mine mulls action on Iran stake
Reuters: A Namibian uranium mine majority-owned by Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto said it is considering what to do with a stake held by the Iranian government in light of the latest U.N. sanctions.
Iraq’s Maliki meets rival al-Sadr in Iran: report
Reuters: The Iraqi prime minister met his erstwhile Shi’ite Muslim rival in Iran Monday, state television said, as Tehran moved to patch over their differences to help ensure Iraq’s next government is led by Shi’ites.
Iranian resistance figure Marzieh buried in France
AFP: Iranian opposition members in exile attended the funeral Monday of Marzieh, a renowned singer and prominent opponent of Iran’s Islamic rulers, who died in Paris last week aged 86.
Iran joins high-level Afghan talks
AP: Iran took part in a high-level meeting on Afghanistan on Monday after the United States said it has no problem with its participation.
Iran says ready for nuclear talks if agenda clear
Reuters: Iran is ready to return to nuclear talks with major powers “as soon as tomorrow,” but only if the subject of the negotiations is made clear in advance, a senior official said on Monday.
Chinese firms bypass sanctions on Iran, U.S. says
Washington Post: The Obama administration has concluded that Chinese firms are helping Iran to improve its missile technology and develop nuclear weapons, and has asked China to stop such activity, a senior U.S. official said.
Iraq’s Maliki visits Iran for leadership talks
AFP: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is in Tehran on Monday to garner support for his premiership bid, as his chief rival Iyad Allawi accused Iran of meddling in Baghdad’s political affairs.
