Reuters: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is writing a letter to Pope Benedict, following an unprecedented letter to U.S. President George W. Bush earlier this month, a newspaper said on Thursday.
Iran president to send letter to Pope – paper
Iran’s Larijani, IAEA head talk in Vienna – diplomat
Reuters: Iranian chief atomic negotiator Ali Larijani on Thursday discussed ways to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme with the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, a senior Iranian diplomat said.
EU trio set to meet on Iran in London next week
DPA: Representatives from France, Britain and Germany will meet next week to hammer out a new package of incentives aimed at persuading Iran to stop its suspected military nuclear weapons programme, European diplomats said Thursday.
Iran FM in surprise visit to Syria
AFP: Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki flew to Syria Thursday on an unannounced visit, and immediately went into a meeting with President Bashar al-Assad, a Syrian oficial said.
Ahmadinejad mocks Iran’s ‘mental’ nuclear opponents
AFP: Hardline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday mocked those opposed to the Islamic republic’s controversial nuclear program, saying they were suffering mental problems.
No security guarantees for Iran: US
AFP: The United States will not give Iran security guarantees in exchange for forfeiting its nuclear program, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Wednesday.
Tone down rhetoric in Iran nuclear talks – Annan
Reuters: U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Thursday those involved in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear crisis should tone down their rhetoric, a day after the Iranian president slammed an EU proposal as “candy for gold”.
Moscow doubts case for Iran sanctions – EU deputy
Reuters: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told EU lawmakers on Thursday Moscow remains unconvinced that international sanctions would persuade Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions, a senior parliamentarian said.
Gulf states envoy to urge Iran to forgo nuclear arms
Reuters: Gulf states will send an envoy to Iran shortly to try to persuade the Islamic republic to forgo nuclear weapons and encourage a peaceful resolution of its dispute with the international community, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.
Keep Iran military option, says Rifkind
Daily Telegraph: Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former Conservative foreign secretary, said yesterday that western countries should be ready to consider military action against Iran if diplomacy and sanctions fail to curb Teheran’s uranium enrichment programme.
