Iran

Iran still coy on Turkey’s overtures

Credit: Asia Times By Kaveh L Afrasiabi CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts – Despite a strong personal pitch by the visiting Turkish premier last week to hold the next round of Iran nuclear talks in Istanbul, Tehran is still ambivalent and may opt for an alternative venue. Although the talks are tentatively scheduled […]

Iraq tests regional muscle with Arab summit

Source: Reuters Author: Patrick Markey Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will seek to showcase his country’s diplomatic return to the region this week when leaders gather for the first Arab League summit in Baghdad in two decades, and the only one hosted by a Shi’ite Arab ruler. With violence from […]

Israel gauges fallout from Iran strike

Credit: Asia Times: By Victor Kotsev Amid the ever-growing diplomatic noise and military buildup in the Persian Gulf, a key issue has received insufficient attention: the dual problem of possible radioactive contamination and civilian casualties resulting from an operation against Iran. Strikes on nuclear facilities carry enormous stigma; those directed […]

Iran not keen to walk Turkey’s red carpet

Credit: Asia Times: By Kaveh L Afrasiabi CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts – In a major setback for Turkey’s self-promotion as a pivot of regional diplomacy, Tehran could rebuff Ankara’s bid to hold the next round of multilateral nuclear talks in Istanbul. As a result, unless Ankara sends Tehran some reassuring signals, it […]

Iran says making nuclear bombs a “great sin”

(Reuters) – Iran, facing growing international pressure over its nuclear program, called for more talks with the U.N. nuclear watchdog on Tuesday and condemned production of atomic weapons as a “great sin.” Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful but negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have stalled […]

Iran’s nuclear claims test good faith

Credit: Asia Times: By Gareth Porter Iranian nuclear envoy Ali Asghar Soltanieh has gone public about the failed visit by the United Nations’ atomic energy agency last month after anonymous statements from the watchdog and Western capitals portrayed Tehran as uncooperative. His account presents fascinating detail that belies that charge. […]