Reuters: The U.N. nuclear chief said on Friday there was “still a long way to go” to resolve a decade-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear program, a note of caution days after Tehran curbed its atomic activity under an interim deal with world powers.
U.N. nuclear chief says still ‘long way to go’ on Iran
Iran to woo oil companies with ‘sexy’ contracts, Total CEO says
Bloomberg: Iran plans to offer oil companies improved terms to develop oil and natural gas fields once a trade embargo against the country is lifted, Total SA (FP) Chief Executive Officer Christophe de Margerie said.
Talks with Iran over nuclear program face dilemma
AP: Vast differences between Iran and the six-nation coalition seeking to dismantle the Islamic republic’s nuclear program may lead to another short-term deal – and that could renew criticism that Iran is stalling and energize the push in Congress for tougher sanctions even if they endanger negotiations.
UN watchdog calls for funds to monitor Iran nuclear freeze
AFP: The UN atomic watchdog said Friday it needs 5.5 million euros to monitor Iran’s partial nuclear freeze under a landmark deal with world powers struck in November.
Iran: Surge in executions worries rights experts
New York Times: United Nations human rights experts called on Wednesday for an urgent halt to a surge in executions in Iran in recent weeks. Iran reportedly hanged 40 people in the first two weeks of January, 33 of them in the last week.
Iran comments a new headache for Washington
AFP: Claims by top Iranian leaders that Washington is misrepresenting terms of an interim nuclear deal left the White House with a new political headache Thursday as it battles to build support for the pact.
Clearstream pays $152 mn over Iran sanctions violations
AFP: Luxembourg financial clearing house Clearstream Banking will pay the United States $152 million to settle accusations it illegally helped Iran’s central bank access the US financial system, the Treasury announced Thursday.
Syrian peace talks yield hard stances, slight hope
AP: Syria’s government said stopping terrorism – not talking peace – was its priority, while the Western-backed opposition said “the road to negotiations” had begun, offering a glimmer of hope Thursday for a way to halt the violence that has killed more than 130,000 people.
Iran oil exports exaggerated, U.S. officials say
Bloomberg: Iran is exaggerating its crude oil export figures and won’t be allowed to sell more than 1 million barrels a day over the next six months, U.S. officials involved in managing sanctions against the country said.
Iranian official on nuke deal: ‘We did not agree to dismantle anything’
CNN: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif insisted Wednesday that the Obama administration mischaracterizes concessions by his side in the six-month nuclear deal with Iran, telling CNN in an exclusive interview that “we did not agree to dismantle anything.”
