Reuters: These are some of the leading stories in Iranian newspapers on Saturday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
PRESS DIGEST – Iran – Jan 16
French academic’s lawyer upbeat on Iran verdict
AFP: French academic Clotilde Reiss's lawyer expressed confidence she would be acquitted after she appeared in court in Tehran on Saturday on charges of acting against Iranian national security during anti-government protests in June.
UN efforts to curb Irans nuclear plans hit by Chinese diplomatic snub
The Times: China is to deliver a carefully calibrated diplomatic snub at a meeting today to discuss UN sanctions aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran warns protesters era of mercy is over
New York Times: Iran’s national police chief issued a stark warning to the country’s opposition on Friday, saying the era of “mercy” was over and that the authorities would begin cracking down more harshly not only on street protests but on anyone who used cell phone and email messages to publicize them.
Iran police warn against SMS, email protest calls
AFP: Iran's police chief has warned opposition supporters against using text and email messages to organise rallies, ISNA news agency said Friday, amid reports new demonstrations are being planned.
Iran to try 16 people soon over December unrest: report
Reuters: Iran will soon put on trial 16 people arrested in connection with anti-government protests that turned violent last month, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Friday.
INTERVIEW – Iran diplomat expects more to quit in protest
Reuters: A former Iranian diplomat to Norway, who announced his resignation earlier this month in protest against Tehran's crackdown on pro-reform demonstrators, said on Friday he expects other diplomats to follow his example.
China to send lower-level envoy to talks on Iran
Reuters: China has decided to send a lower-level official to attend talks in New York on Saturday about Iran's nuclear programs, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday.
Ahmadinejad sees “Zionist style” in Iran bombing
Reuters: This week's assassination of an Iranian scientist was carried out in a "Zionist style," President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday, in his first direct comment on the bombing attack in Tehran.
Iran bans weekly for spreading “lies” – media
Reuters: An Iranian court has banned a weekly for slander and spreading lies, media reported, and one opposition website said it was for insulting former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
