AP: An Iranian court has rejected an appeal by an American pastor to reduce his eight-year prison sentence, a human-rights group representing his family in the U.S. said Monday.
Iranian court rejects American pastor’s appeal
UN to begin syria probe as U.S. alleges chemical weapons use
Bloomberg: The United Nations will begin investigating allegations of chemical arms use in Syria “within hours,” after the U.S. concluded President Bashar al-Assad’s regime probably used the weaponry against civilians.
Iraq denies halting services to Iranian exile camp
AP: An Iranian dissident group has accused the Iraqi authorities of cutting off water and electricity to a contested northern camp used by its members, a charge the Iraqi government denied Sunday.
UN political chief to visit Iran for Syria talks
AFP: The political affairs chief of the United Nations Jeffrey Feltman is to visit Iran on Monday to discuss the war in Syria and unrest in Egypt and Lebanon, a report said. Feltman is to hold talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Mehr news agency reported.
Oman’s Qaboos on Tehran visit, U.S.-Iran mediation in focus
Reuters: Oman’s Sultan Qaboos on Sunday began the first visit to Iran by a foreign leader since moderate President Hassan Rouhani took office and Iranian media said his trip might be an effort to mediate between Tehran and Washington.
Iran to stop cash handouts to millions of citizens
Bloomberg: Iran will stop paying monthly cash handouts to citizens who don’t need the aid, Shargh reported today, citing a member of parliament. The change will be implemented in the new Iranian year staring March 21.
Iran army warns US of ‘harsh consequences’ over Syria
AFP: A top Iranian military chief warned on Sunday that the US will face “harsh consequences” if it intervenes in ally Syria over claims of chemical attacks, Fars news agency reported.
Iran says Syria will let UN inspect suspected chemical sites
Fox News: US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has said that President Obama has asked the military to “prepare options for all contingencies” as the crisis in Syria deepens following reports of a chemical weapons attack by that country’s government earlier this week.
Maryam Rajavi demands justice for 30,000 Iranian political prisoners massacred in 1988
Digital Journal: Iranian Resistance president-elect Maryam Rajavi has condemned the ‘shameful and evil’ genocide of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran 25 years ago and called on the international community to bring the mullahs who ordered the atrocity to justice.
Iran warns against international military intervention in Syria
Bloomberg: Iran’s foreign Ministry warned against any international military action in Syria, its long-time ally, saying that intervention would heighten regional tensions. Barack Obama is coming under increased pressure to intervene in Syria amid allegations of chemical arms use by Assad.
