New York Times: After intense talks about Irans nuclear program, the United States and other major world powers face two unappealing choices as the United Nations General Assembly opens this week: introduce a resolution in the Security Council for sanctions against Tehran that may not be tough enough to make a difference, or delay any punitive measures, rendering their diplomacy on Iran meaningless.
Two tracks on Iran: Keep talking, and weigh penalties
Japan’s top banks to stop business with Iran
AP: Three top Japanese banks, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Corporate Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., will refrain from doing business with Iran’s state-run Bank Saderat Iran in line with US financial sanctions, Kyodo News agency reported Saturday.
U.S. asks finance chiefs to limit Irans access to banks
New York Times: The United States pressed the top finance officials of the worlds leading industrial nations on Saturday to crack down on what Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. said was the exploitation of their banking systems by at least 30 Iranian front companies involved in illicit activities.
Major powers mull meeting to break logjam with Iran
Reuters: Major powers are considering a joint meeting with Iran next week that excludes the United States as a way of bridging a divide over its nuclear program, U.S. and European diplomats said on Saturday.
Bush rules out meeting with Irans Ahmadinejad at UN
Iran Focus: London, Sep. 16 United States President George W. Bush ruled out meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York where world leaders will gather next week.
Bush rules out meeting with Irans Ahmadinejad at UN
Iran Focus: London, Sep. 16 United States President George W. Bush ruled out meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York where world leaders will gather next week.
U.S.: Iran severely restricts freedom of religion
Iran Focus: London, Sep. 16 The United States Department of State accused Iran on Friday of severely restricting freedom of religion.
U.S.: Iran severely restricts freedom of religion
Iran Focus: London, Sep. 16 The United States Department of State accused Iran on Friday of severely restricting freedom of religion.
Iran, Venezuela try to forge anti-U.S. front at summit
Reuters: Iran, Venezuela and other states opposed to U.S. policy sought to forge a common front on Friday at a Non-Aligned summit that Cuban leader Fidel Castro was too ill to chair.
European diplomat cites gains in Iran talks
International Herald Tribune: The European Unions foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, offered Friday his most upbeat assessment to date on the nuclear impasse, insisting that talks to persuade Iran to suspend uranium enrichment were progressing.
