AFP: A senior US official said Monday he discussed the latest sanctions imposed by Washington against Iran with officials in the United Arab Emirates, which is Tehran’s top trading partner.
US official discusses Iran sanctions in UAE
Iran, IAEA tackle centrifuge questions
AP: Senior officials from Iran and the U.N. nuclear watchdog began a final round of talks Monday aimed at resolving remaining questions on Iranian centrifuges that are used to enrich uranium.
Dutch fear for rights activist in Iran
Reuters: The Dutch government has sought consular access to a human rights activist thought to have been sentenced to death in Iran, the foreign ministry said on Monday.
Iran navy in suicide attack pledge
CNN: An Iranian naval commander Monday said his forces are willing to carry out suicide missions when facing enemy forces in the Persian Gulf, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency.
IAEA head urges full transparency from Iran
Reuters: The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Monday Iran’s agreement on a plan to resolve questions about its nuclear program was important but “active cooperation and transparency” would be key to its success.
Iran closer to nuclear bomb than IAEA thinks – France
Reuters: France’s defence minister brushed aside on Monday remarks by the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog that there was no proof Iran was building an atomic bomb, saying France had information to the “contrary”.
McCain: Iran can’t be allowed nuclear arms
UPI: U.S. Sen. John McCain, a Republican presidential candidate, says Iran cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, but rhetoric should be toned down.
Iran says documents show U.S. backing “terrorists”
Reuters: Iran has access to evidence of U.S. support for terrorist groups in the Middle East, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Sunday.
Iran adapts to economic pressure
Washington Post: Confronted by mounting U.S. and U.N. pressure, Iran has been steadily shifting its trade from West to East and, with the benefit of record high oil prices, is likely to be able to withstand the new U.S. sanctions, according to U.S., European and Iranian analysts.
Soften the talk on Iran, ElBaradei urges U.S.
New York Times: Mohamed ElBaradei, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, urged the Bush administration on Sunday to soften its statements about Iran while maintaining diplomatic pressure to halt the nuclear enrichment that could lead to the production of a nuclear weapon.
