Reuters: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged President Barack Obama on Monday to step up sanctions on Iran if it pursues its nuclear drive even as Tehran exchanges overtures with Washington and restarts negotiations with the West.
Netanyahu to Obama: Tighten sanctions if Iran defies West
Vatican Bank likely to close embassy accounts after Iran, Iraq red flags
Reuters: The Vatican bank is likely to close all accounts held by foreign embassies, following concerns about large cash deposits and withdrawals by the missions of Iran, Iraq and Indonesia, according to people with knowledge of the situation.
Iran Guards chief criticises Rouhani-Obama call
AFP: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief said Monday President Hassan Rouhani should have refused a telephone call from his US counterpart, in the first public criticism of the move by a senior official.
EU plays down deadline for Iran talks
AFP: EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Monday played down Iran’s calls for a nuclear accord within a year, saying that technical work will take time. Ashton said it was critical to convince “those who are most worried and most skeptical.”
Biden: Iran sanctions most effective in history
AP: Vice President Joe Biden says U.S.-led sanctions against Iran have been the most effective sanctions regime ever. Biden says Iran has a choice. He says Iran can suffer deepening economic sanctions or negotiate its way back into the global community and economy.
U.S. aims to ease doubt on Iran talks
Wall Street Journal: President Barack Obama is ramping up efforts to sell his diplomatic drive with Iran to skeptical Middle East allies and to Congress, starting with a crucial meeting at the White House on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Rouhani enjoys Iran backing that matters as foes reject call
Boloomberg: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, whose public support after a trip to the U.S. outweighed the detractors that tried to pelt his convoy with eggs, also has backing from the one who matters most: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Netanyahu expected to press Obama to keep Iran sanctions in place
UPI: Sanctions against Iran must remain unless it ends its nuclear program, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is expected to tell President Obama Monday. The two leaders are to meet in the White House Oval Office at 11:15 a.m. EDT.
Uneasy Gulf states weigh US-Iran overtures
AP: Lost in the blizzard of attention on Iran’s cautious openings to the U.S. was another bit of noteworthy outreach by President Hassan Rouhani: Sending greetings to Saudi Arabia’s king and appealing for more cooperation between the two regional rivals.
Oman looks beyond Iran sanctions for gas lifeline
Reuters: If Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s dream of reaching a deal with world powers on Tehran’s nuclear program in six months comes true, Oman, an important intermediary in the dispute, could be a big winner.
