European negotiator: "Iran, world powers far from nuclear deal"

European negotiator: "Iran, world powers far from nuclear deal". (DS).

LAUSANNE: Iran and major powers are still "pretty far" from a deal aimed at preventing Tehran getting nuclear weapons, a European diplomat involved in crunch talks in Switzerland said Thursday.

"I think we are pretty far from a deal," the negotiator said on condition of anonymity. "I really don't believe that we are going to get a [framework] deal on Friday night." Hmmm.....It's only the US And Iran who claim things are moving forward, but they wouldn't lie would they?

MT @antoinemariotti: EU diplo: Big differences on R&D betwn P5+1 & #Iran. We don't want them to have X8 more capacity in 5 years".#IranTalks
— Abas Aslani (@abasinfo) March 19, 2015

#French negotiator Riviere: The sides consider once again extending deadline for a political framework deal.-Sputnik http://t.co/GXbqaHtvW6
— Abas Aslani (@abasinfo) March 19, 2015

French negotiator Riviere: We are far from the deal. Side has not reached serious progress yet. - Sputnik #IranTalks http://t.co/GXbqaHtvW6
— Abas Aslani (@abasinfo) March 19, 2015

6000 more than UNSCR's allow RT @APDiploWriter: Lausanne: "#Iran limited to 6K centrifuges in draft nuclear accord" http://t.co/PR6JaFsb5h

— Omri Ceren (@cerenomri) March 19, 2015

Iran 'ICBM' Launches New Satellite into Space.

Iran 'ICBM' Launches New Satellite into Space. (UOI).

Iran today launched a new satellite into space. Fajr (“Dawn”) was put into elliptical orbit of 250 to 400 kilometers aboard Safir satellite launch vehicle (SLV), becoming the fourth Iranian satellite launched into space. The Iranian media reported that the new satellite is equipped with micro-motors that provide it orbit-changing capability.

Iran launched its first satellite, Omid (“Hope”) in 2009, and sent its first bio-capsule containing living creatures into space in 2010. The director of Iran Space Agency, Hamid Fazeli, announced last October that Iran will launch three satellites into space (Fajr, Tadbir and Sharif) in the current Iranian calendar year, which ends on 20 March.

It should be noted that in the announcement made last October by Iran Space Agency of launching three satellites, including Fajr, during this Iranian calendar year, Simorgh SLV was identified as the launch vehicle.

Iranian news agencies report on the launch of Fajr today, however, identified the SLV involved as Safir. The Simorgh rocket was not used probably because the launch stand that could support Simorgh has not yet been installed at Khomeini Space Center.

As Uskowi on Iran mentions "I believe you are referring to Israel's Channel 2 report of 21 January, picked up by other outlets, which was based on an EROS-B satellite image of a new facility in Semnan's Khomeini Space Center. IHS Jane's 360 said yesterday that the facility is probably designed for Simorgh SLV. Channel 2 said the 27-m missile could hit targets far beyond Europe. Although Simorgh SLV is theoretically capable of ICBM ranges, but the payload it can carry is far too small for an ICBM. Jane's estimates that Simorgh will be able to lift a payload of just 100 kg into orbit." Hmmmm...... North Korea Iran's 'Buddy' is specializing in minimisation of nuclear payloads. See: US General Says North Korea Can Produce Nuclear Warheads Fit for Ballistic Missiles

Source

Congress must NOT approve any nuclear deal with ‘tyrannical’ Iran, U.S. Senator demands.

Congress must NOT approve any nuclear deal with ‘tyrannical’ Iran, U.S. Senator demands. (NCRI).

A US Senator has said America must demand complete nuclear disarmament by Iran during talks with the regime - which he branded a 'radical, Islamist tyranny' that has been killing Americans for more than three decades.

The US Congress must neither approve any new nuclear deal with the Iranian regime, or impose new sanctions if talks fail, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton insisted.

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, he said: "A nuclear-capable Iran is the gravest threat facing America today. The Obama administration’s nuclear negotiations with Iran, the so-called P5+1 talks, were supposed to stop Iran’s rush to a nuclear bomb.

"Regrettably, what began as an unwise gamble has descended into a dangerous series of unending concessions, which is why the time has come for Congress to act.

"Our negotiating 'partner' Iran is not a rational or peaceful actor; it is a radical, Islamist tyranny whose constitution explicitly calls for jihad. Iran’s ayatollahs have honored the call: Iran has been killing Americans for more than three decades.”

Iranian-aligned Shiite militants had also seized the capital of Yemen, and Iran continues to prop up Bashar Assad ’s outlaw regime in Syria, Mr Cotton said.

"It is the nature of Iran’s regime to kill Americans, export terror, destabilize the Middle East and foment world-wide Islamic revolution. If Iran commits these crimes against the West now, imagine what Iran would do with a nuclear umbrella.

"Yet the nuclear negotiations have become an endless series of concessions to Iran. As it stands, American negotiators have conceded to Iran the right to enrich uranium, for which Iran has no legitimate need, much less a right.

"The negotiators have also conceded to Iran its plutonium-producing reactor and possession or development of thousands of advanced centrifuges. Nor are the negotiators even addressing Iran’s ballistic-missile program. In return, Iran has received billions of dollars in sanctions relief.

"To end this appeasement, the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday approved legislation that would impose new conditional and prospective sanctions on Iran if nuclear negotiations fail.

"The proposed legislation also calls for congressional approval of any nuclear agreement.

"The threat of future sanctions would cause the Iranians to walk away only if that is what they planned to do all along. The regime in Tehran could easily avoid new sanctions by making a deal.

"Perhaps the Obama administration isn’t so much worried about the ayatollahs’ delicate sensibilities as it is focused on avoiding any deadline for itself or congressional review of its actions. This makes congressional action all the more necessary.

"Congress must protect America from a bad deal—anything less than Iran’s complete nuclear disarmament. The U.S. cannot live with a nuclear Iran, whether it is achieved with a formal agreement or in slow motion through endless negotiations.

"Some Senate Democrats claim to share the goal of stopping a nuclear-armed Iran. They will now have their chance to prove it when this new legislation comes to the Senate floor in a few weeks."

Iranians Can Survive on One Meal a Day – Jannati chairman of Iran’s Guardian Council.

Iranians Can Survive on One Meal a Day – Jannati chairman of Iran’s Guardian Council. (UOI).

Ayatollah Ali Jannati, the chairman of Iran’s powerful Guardian Council, told Iranians during his Friday Prayer sermons in Tehran that if the nuclear negotiations are unsuccessful and economic sanctions get worse, they can always survive on one meal a day.

“So what if you can have only one meal a day, if the situation gets worse because of sanctions,” Jannati said. “Starvation is not worse than losing a loved one.” (IRNA, 30 January)

Jannati added that Ayatollah Khamenei’s “Resistance Economy” would ensure the survival of the Islamic Republic and all Iranians should be happy to sacrifice in the struggle against the West.

“We endure hardship in the path of resistance,” Jannati added

Jannati also criticized Rouhani administration for sending the country’s foreign minister to Riyadh to pay respects to the memory of the late King Abdullah. Jannati instead congratulated Muslims over Abdullah’s death.

During his sermons, Jannati also commented on Hezbollah’s missile attack on Wednesday against Israel. “This is the first [response to] the Zionists and the should wait [for more].”

New anti-Iran sanctions in Congress could survive Obama’s veto.

New anti-Iran sanctions in Congress could survive Obama’s veto. (Debka).

Contrary to most reports, it turns out that President Barack Obama’s veto would not necessarily spell the end of the road for tougher economic sanctions on Iran that Congress proposes to enact should the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the six powers remain stalled.

A 67 Senate majority may after all be available to overturn the veto.

This was indicated Thursday by the Senate Banking Committee’s 18-4 bipartisan approval of the new sanctions bill tabled by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill.

The senators argued that the threat of new penalties would cause Tehran to take the ongoing negotiations more seriously, not disrupt them as the president maintains.

Russia in Talks With 'Moderate & Peaceful' Iran on Tor-M1 Missile System Modernization.

Russia in Talks With 'Moderate and Peaceful' Iran on Tor-M1 Missile System Modernization.(SP).

Tor is designed to detect and engage modern high-precision weapons, including cruise missiles and guided bombs. The Tor-M1s are deployed to protect Iranian state and military facilities from air attacks.

Russia's Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol is in talks with Iran on modernizing the short range Tor-M1 (SA-15 Gauntlet) surface-to-air missile defense systems, the plant's assistant director general told RIA Novosti Thursday.

"Iran has been operating a large number of our Tor-M1s. We [Iran and Russia] are holding talks about a possible modernization of the Tor-M1. We provide [Iran] with spare parts and train personnel. The work continues," said Vyacheslav Kartashov, liaison for military-technical cooperation and government contracts.

According to Kartashov, Iranian experts "professionally operate" the Tor-M1 missile systems, and provide for its maintenance.

"The equipment is in an excellent combat condition. Perhaps, this is one of the factors withholding the potential aggressor," he said.

Tor is designed to detect and engage modern high-precision weapons, including cruise missiles and guided bombs. The Tor-M1s are deployed to protect Iranian state and military facilities from air attacks.

Russia completed the delivery of 29 Tor-M1 missiles to Iran in January 2007. In September 2010, Moscow joined the UN sanctions against the country, prohibiting almost all arms trade, in response to Iran's controversial nuclear activities.

Video - IRAN TRUTH SQUAD BRIEFING LIVE - '3 motivation pillars of Iran. Jihad, Najis, and Canonical Islamic Jew-hatred.'

IRAN TRUTH SQUAD BRIEFING LIVE - '3 motivation pillars of Iran. Jihad, Najis, and Canonical Islamic Jew-hatred.'(centerforsecuritypolicy)

President Obama, in his January 20th State of the Union address, stated: “…for the first time in a decade, we’ve halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material.”

This assertion is false. Iran continues to pursue its nuclear program unabated, constituting a paramount national security threat to the United States and its allies. The Center for Security Policy will hold a panel discussion on the true state of the Iranian threat, and what Congress must do to prevent Tehran’s realization of its nuclear ambitions.

WHO: Dr. Andrew Bostom, Author, Iran’s Final Solution for Israel: The Legacy of Jihad and Shi’ite Islamic Jew-Hatred in Iran

Clare Lopez, Vice President for Research and Analysis, Center for Security Policy; former CIA operations officer

Fred Fleitz, Senior Fellow, Center for Security Policy; former Senior Professional Staff Member, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence;

former Chief of Staff to then-Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton; former CIA analyst

Iran says no more nuke talks if no agreement reached by deadline

Iran says no more nuke talks if no agreement reached by deadline. (Taz).

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries can reach nuclear agreement in less than 4 months, if the other side shows political will.

“If they want to reach agreement, they need to be realistic,” he said, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported on Jan. 28.

“The other side should know that Iranians will never bow to pressure, so if they want to reach an agreement they need to lift the pressures,” Zarif noted.

“The negotiations have reached a critical level. We are currently talking about the details,” he explained.

“If we don’t reach an agreement by the deadline, the talks won’t be extended anymore,” the Iranian minister said.

He went on to note that a new round of talks between Tehran and the P5+1 at the deputies level on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference have not been finalized yet.

The Munich Security Conference will kick off at the German city on Feb. 6.

“All the members of the P5+1 are not attending the conference, so we have not decided about any possible meeting yet,” Zarif explained.

Iran and P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council comprising of China, France, Russia, Britain, the US Plus Germany) sealed an interim deal in Geneva on November 24,2013 to pave the way for the full resolution of the decade-old disputes over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

The Geneva deal took effect on January 20, 2014 and expired on July 20, 2014.

However, the two sides agreed to extend their talks for four months till November 24, 2014 to reach a permanent deal on Iran's disputed nuclear program.

At a meeting held on November 24, 2014, the sides agreed to extend the talks for further seven months.  Hmmm.....Meanwhile the U.S. Senate dems give Obama another TWO months.

"The Silence of the Senate" - Senate Dems give Obama two months to reach a deal with Iran.

"The Silence of the Senate" - Senate Dems give Obama two months to reach a deal with Iran.(Blaze).

Ten Senate Democrats told President Barack Obama on Tuesday that they would not vote for an Iran sanctions bill until after late March, essentially giving Obama two months to reach a framework deal under which Iran agrees to give up its nuclear weapons program.

The Obama administration extended negotiations with Iran on a nuclear deal last November, and is now targeting March 24 as a deadline for reaching a framework agreement. The administration hopes to reach a final deal by June 30.

In the meantime, the administration has said it opposes any effort in Congress to approve new sanctions legislation. That has caused friction among Republicans and Democrats who argue that Iran is stalling for time, and that Congress should be getting new sanctions ready in case a deal fails to materialize.

But in their letter to Obama, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and nine other Democrats said they would give Obama some breathing room by not voting for a sanctions bill until after March 24.

“After March 24, we will only vote for this legislation on the Senate floor if Iran fails to reach agreement on a political framework that addresses all parameters of a comprehensive agreement,” they wrote. “This deadline is the critical test of Iranian intentions.”

Democrats no longer run the Senate, but Menendez is a key Democratic backer of tougher sanctions on Iran. As a result, it now appears unlikely that the Senate will be in any position to move a sanctions bill until late March.

Their commitment is unlikely to fully satisfy the White House, since it holds open the chance of a sanctions vote if a framework deal is reached that doesn’t satisfy Congress. But it does give Obama about two months to work on that deal without the threat of sanctions, at least in the Senate.

It’s not clear, however, if House Republicans will also agree to hold their fire.

Senate Democrats said they doubt any deal will emerge from the talks at all. Read the full story here.

Video - IRGC Deputy Commander Hossein Salami Threatens Retaliation against Israel, Says: Collapse of Israel More Important than Nuclear Issue

Iran sends warning message to Israeli leaders through 'diplomatic channels' to U.S. officials.

Hmmm...."the Zionist regime crossed Iran's red lines by this action"....You would almost think it's personal 

Iran sends warning message to Israeli leaders through 'diplomatic channels'  to U.S. officials. (ME).

Iran has told the United States that Israel should expect consequences for an attack on the Syrian-held side of the Golan Heights that killed an Iranian general, a senior official said Tuesday.

News of the Iranian warning come as at least two rockets fired from Syria hit the Israeli-occupied area of the Golan Heights on Tuesday, prompting Israeli forces to return fire.

There were no immediate reports of casualties on the Israeli side, nor claims of responsibility.

Israeli military officials assume the attack was a joint effort between Hezbollah and the Syrian military while Lebanese sources implied that the rockets were aimed at a rebel-run hospital in Syria's Quneitra province, Haaretz reported.

Tensions have risen since the attack along the ceasefire line in the Golan Heights on 18 January killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi and six fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah group.

Israel has not officially acknowledged carrying out the attack, but was already warned last week of an eventual response.

"We have sent a message to the United States through diplomatic channels telling the Americans that the Zionist regime crossed Iran's red lines by this action," said Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

"In this message, we said those responsible should wait to suffer the consequences of their act," he added, in remarks carried by the official IRNA news agency.   Hmmm.....Israel's 'Staunchest Ally' now spokesperson for Iran........Go figure.

Video - Krauthammer: "Obama treats Iran with the utmost respect, and Israel with none"

Surprise! UN cannot conclude Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful: IAEA Chief.

Surprise! UN cannot conclude Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful: IAEA Chief.(NCRI).

United Nations nuclear watchdog is cannot “provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities,” the chief of the international nuclear watchdog says.

Speaking in University of Indonesia, Mr. Yukiya Amano, the director of Intrantional Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday: “Two of the main nuclear verification issues on the Agency’s agenda in recent years have been North Korea and Iran.”

“These are very different cases. What they have in common is the fact that these countries have failed to fully implement their safeguards agreements with the IAEA and other relevant obligations. This makes it very difficult for us to do our job effectively.”

On the case of the Iranian regime’s nuclear activities he said: “we are not in a position to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.”

Speaking on the IAEA in the 21st century, the director of the agency said: “2015 will be a significant year for the Iran nuclear issue. The future will depend very much on the outcome of the negotiations between the so-called E3+3 countries - China, France, Germany, Russia, Britain and the United States - and Iran.”

Amano emphasized: “In addressing the Iran nuclear issue, two things are important.

• First, with the cooperation of Iran, the Agency needs to clarify issues with possible military dimensions to the satisfaction of Member States. 



• Also, Iran needs to implement the additional protocol so that the Agency can provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran.”

Hmmm......In six years of talks they're still stuck with the same answers.

John Boehner On Netanyahu Invite: Congress ‘Can Make This Decision On Its Own’

John Boehner On Netanyahu Invite: Congress ‘Can Make This Decision On Its Own’.(Matzav).

While an Obama administration spokesman said Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner (R-Ohio) breached “protocol” by inviting Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress next month about the Iranian threat, Boehner said Congress “can make this decision on its own.”

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said regarding Boehner’s invitation of Netanyahu, “The protocol would suggest that the leader of one country would contact the leader of another country when he’s traveling there. … This particular event seems to be a departure from that protocol.”

In a statement on Wednesday morning, Boehner said, “In this time of challenge, I am asking the prime minister to address Congress on the grave threats radical Islam and Iran pose to our security and way of life. … America and Israel have always stood together in shared cause and common ideals, and now we must rise to the moment again. Let’s send a clear message to the White House-and the world-about our commitment to Israel and our allies.”

Boehner also said he does not believe he was “poking anyone in the eye” by extending an invitation to Netanyahu without consulting Obama.

“There is a serious threat that exists in the world. And the president last night kind of papered over it,” said Boehner.

Boehner was referring to Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night, in which the president vowed to veto “any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo” the “progress” of ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and Western powers.

The Obama veto threat comes as Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) are moving quickly to bring a new Iran sanctions bill, titled Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015, to the Senate floor for a vote.

The new Menendez-Kirk bill expands on existing sanctions on Iran’s financial and energy sections, and would kick in if Iran and world powers fail to reach an agreement by the end of June.

Iran daring the U.S. - If US is not afraid of starting hostilities, then let it advance – Iran’s defense minister .

Iran daring the U.S. - If US is not afraid of starting hostilities, then let it advance – Iran’s defense minister. (TAZ).

If the US is not afraid of starting the hostilities, then let it advance, Iran’s Defense Minister Hussein Dehghani said, Iran’s news agency Fars reported.

He was responding to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey’s appeal about the possible attack on Iran.

Dehghani said that the statements of the US and Israel that there are plans about an attack, are meaningless.

"If they were able to do anything, they would have done it a long time ago," he said.

While speaking at a commemoration ceremony held in connection with the death of members of the Lebanese Hezbollah organization in Syria, Dehghani said that Iran's position concerning Israel remains unchanged.

"Iran has a stable position in relation to the Zionist regime, so the resistance forces of all Muslims are now fighting the Zionists and Takfiris,” he said. “We will fully support the resistance forces."

Israeli helicopters attacked the car with six Hezbollah members in Syria on January 18. All six people, including the son of one of Hezbollah commanders Imad Mughniyeh were killed. Among the killed was one of Sepah commanders.

Dehghani said that those responsible for the attack on Hezbollah members would be punished.
“All means will be used for providing the Palestinians with arms in the West Bank,” he said. Hmmm....the Obama 'Admin' gave them SIX years to prepare and grow stronger, now their masks come off.

U.S. president’s remarks on “keeping all options on table” is lie, Iranian Quds Force Chief says.

U.S. president’s remarks on “keeping all options on table” is lie, Iranian Quds Force Chief says.(Taz).

U.S. President Barack Obama's remarks on "keeping all options on the table" on Iran is a lie, Iranian IRGC's Quds Forces Commander, Major General Ghassem Soleimani said, Fars news agency reported on Dec. 22.

Obama said on Dec. 20 that diplomacy offers the prospect Iran will cancel its nuclear weapons program but he is "keeping all options on the table".
"I am keeping all options on the table," Obama said, adding that he would prefer to resolve the issue through diplomacy.
Soleimani underlined that the Obama's remark on keeping military option on the table against Iran is a lie, adding that the U.S. is a hated country in the world.
The Quds Force commander went on to say that the U.S. has failed in each country in which it conducted a military intervention.
"For the being time the U.S. is collapsed in all aspects, and is the most indebted country in the world," he added.
Soleimani also criticized comments, which claimed that sanctions and military threats forced Iran to sign the nuclear deal.
On November 24, Iran and the P5+1 reached a deal in Geneva after several days of intensive negotiations. The nuclear accord is designed to halt Iran's nuclear advances for a period of six months to buy time for negotiations on a final settlement of the decade-old standoff.
The U.S. and its Western allies suspect Iran of developing a nuclear weapon - something that Iran denies.
The Islamic Republic has on numerous occasions stated that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, using nuclear energy for medical research instead.Hmmm.....OMG....The US Pres a Liar??

Iranian FM Zarif to hold phone talk with EU foreign policy chief Ashton.

Iranian FM Zarif to hold phone talk with EU foreign policy chief Ashton.(Taz).

Today the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will have a phone talk with European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton, Fars news agency reported on Dec. 22.

Iran and P5+1 resumed expert-level talks in Geneva on Dec. 19 to work out how to put into practice a landmark deal obliging Tehran to curb its nuclear program in return for some relief from economic sanctions.
On November 24, Iran and the P5+1 reached a deal in Geneva after several days of intensive negotiations. The nuclear accord is designed to halt Iran's nuclear advances for a period of six months to buy time for negotiations on a final settlement of the decade-old standoff.
On Dec. 21, IRNA News Agency quoted Iranian deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi as saying the latest round of technical talks between Iran and the P5+1 have made little progress.
While four rounds of talks have been held since, Fars reported that continuing the negotiations is depended on the result of two sides' high level officials' talks citing diplomatic sources.
The Geneva expert-level talks follow four days of similar discussions in Vienna last week.
Discussions on the implementation details of last month's breakthrough accord were interrupted by Tehran diplomats last week, after a decision by the United States to blacklist 19 more Iranian companies and individuals, Reuters reported.
U.S. officials have said the new blacklisting should not complicate the practical talks and are part of U.S. efforts to continue exposing those supporting Iran's nuclear program or seeking to evade current sanctions.
Tehran said it is ready to pick up the talks after the EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton assured that the P5+1 countries, and especially the U.S., would continue the talks in goodwill.
The U.S. and its Western allies suspect Iran of developing a nuclear weapon - something that Iran denies.
The Islamic Republic has on numerous occasions stated that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, using nuclear energy for medical research instead.Hmmm....The 'never ending talks' meanwhile the centrifuges are spinning at 100%!

"Israel's staunchest ally" - US Officials: Obama and Rouhani may meet on sidelines of UN General Assembly.

"Israel's staunchest ally" - US Officials: Obama and Rouhani may meet on sidelines of UN General Assembly.(JPost).

US President Barack Obama has exchanged letters with his new Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in recent weeks, and the two leaders may hold a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month, The Los Angeles Times quoted US officials as saying.

According to the Thursday report in the Times, Washington and Tehran have been discussing the situation in Syria and tentatively laying the framework for direct talks over Iran's disputed nuclear program.
US Ambassador Joseph Macmanus said Washington was ready to work with the new Iranian government "to reach a diplomatic solution that will fully address the international community's concerns" about Iran's nuclear program.
"We are hopeful that the Rouhani administration will live up to its assurances of transparency and cooperation by taking concrete steps over the next several months," he told the closed-door board meeting, according to a copy of his speech.
But, Macmanus added, "should Iran continue its intransigence and obfuscation, we will work with fellow board members at the November board meeting to hold Iran appropriately accountable."Hmmm.....Who needs enemies with such allies?Read the full story here.

Ashton's spokesman: no new offer on table for Iran’s nuclear issue.

Ashton's spokesman: no new offer on table for Iran’s nuclear issue.(TAZ).

The EU foreign policy chief and chief negotiator for the P5+1(the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) Catherine Ashton's spokesman Michael Mann dismissed articles on offering new proposal to Iran to persuade Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment, Radiofarda reported.

He went on to note that the Almaty proposal is already on the Table.

Iranian media outlets quoted Suadi Arabian Okaz newspaper as saying that the P5+1 has new offers for Iran on its nuclear issue.
"We are interested on starting the negotiations as soon as possible," Mann said, adding that "however, we can not say what will be the next step."

The p5+1's Almaty proposal offers halting some imposed sanctions against Iran during six months as long as Tehran agreed to decrease Fordow site's activity, suspend uranium enrichment to 20 percent.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ashton agreed to meet on the sidelines of a UN General Assembly session in New York in late September to discuss a resumption of negotiations over Iran's nuclear issue.

Iran and the P5+1 group have held several rounds of talks on a range of issues, with the main focus being on Iran's nuclear issue. The two sides wrapped up their latest round of negotiations on April 6 in the Kazakh city ofAlmaty. An earlier round had been held in Almaty on February 26-27.

On Thursday, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani officially assigned the country's Foreign Ministry to take charge of future nuclear talks with the P5+1 group.

In his Friday phone conversation with Ashton, the Iranian foreign minister reaffirmed Tehran's determination to resolve the Western dispute over its nuclear energy program "if Iran's rights are respected," and if the other side is also resolved to settle the issue.

Foreign Ministry: Iranian president Hassan Rouhani likely to visit US this month.

Foreign Ministry: Iranian president Hassan Rouhani likely to visit US this month..(Taz).

Preparations for Iranian president Hassan Rouhani's visit to New York are underway. Whether this visit will take place or not depends on the decision of Iranian president, the country's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, Tasnimnews reported on Monday.

According to the report, Iranian president Rouhani will visit New York to attend the next session of UN General Assembly. Iran's ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended each meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York.