LATEST: 4 Iranians and 2 Afghan Immigrants Killed in Syria Fighting

MAY 16

Iranian officials said on Friday that nuclear talks in Vienna with the 5+1 Powers are “difficult” but are “moving forward”.

The 4th round of discussions on a comprehensive nuclear settlement conclude today. The two sides are likely to meet again next month as they seek a deal before an interim Joint Plan of Action expires July 20.

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, the lead Iranian negotiator, told reporters on Thursday evening that “negotiations are conducted under an atmosphere of good will, but are moving with much difficulty and slowly”.

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had a 3 1/2-hour meeting with the European Union’s foreign policy head Catherine Ashton, with their deputies, Araqchi and Helga Schmidt, holding two separate sessions.

Zarif, Ashton, and their teams convened again on Thursday evening.

State Media Signals Possible Iran-Saudi Arabia Rapprochement

Speaking to state broadcaster, IRIB2, Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian noted the “positive hints” made towards Saudi Arabia by the Rouhani government.

Amir-Abdollahian stated “We recently received a verbal invitation from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal (for his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif to visit Riyadh); and a number of Saudi officials previously stressed the significance of this trip.”

He added that such talks could improve bilateral relations with the aim of resolving regional issues, although he acknowledged that “our foreign minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia requires preparations, and topics of discussion must be outlined.”

oil exports have declined in April for the second successive month, according to a report by the International Energy Agency. Iran is down to 1.11 billion barrels of oil a day in April – a marked decrease from 1.58 billion barrels a day in February.

This results from sanctions imposed by the US amid the 5+1 nuclear talks. Due to a temporary accord, set to expire in July, Iran is to not exceed an average of 1 billion barrels a day over the six month period. The Obama administration has commented that it is confident Iran will have even lower oil exports in the upcoming months to meet the terms of the accord.

4 Iranians and 2 Afghan Immigrants Killed in Syria Fighting

Iranian media report the deaths of four Iranians and two Afghan immigrants in fighting in Syria.

Tasnim said funerals were held Thursday for the Iranians who were “defenders of the Shrine of Saint (Sayyeda) Zeynab” in southern Damascus.

Tehran’s media always say the deaths occurred at the shrine, obscuring the location of Iranians fighting elsewhere in Syria.

Daneshjoo News said two Afghans living in Iran had also died in clashes.

Detained Opposition Leader Mousavi Gets Medical Care After Two-Week Delay

The daughters of detained opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi say he has received essential heart treatment after a two-week delay.

Mousavi, held under strict house arrest with his wife Zahra Rahnavard since February 2011, was briefly hospitalized earlier this month for the heart condition. In the past, he has been moved from confinement for angioplasty to widen his arteries.

See Iran Picture: Detained Opposition Leader Mousavi in Hospital

After the last hospitalization, Mousavi’s daughters complained that the 2009 Presidential candidate was not being treated at home. They also said he had been beaten by guards.

They then met religious leaders in Qom to seek support for proper care.

The daughters said they met with their parents on Wednesday and were told that the authorities have allowed doctors to proceed with treatment.

Reuters Promotes Ballistic Missiles as Obstacle to Nuclear Deal

In a sign of the challenge at the Vienna nuclear talks, Reuters proclaims again that Iran is pursuing ballistic missile development which will undermine the negotiations:

Reuters, which often posts the claims of unnamed “Western diplomats” of Tehran’s duplicity in efforts to pursue a militarized nuclear program, cites a confidential United Nations report:

A new missile launch site 40 km (25 miles) from the city of Shahrud was identified in August 2013. A larger launch complex is assessed to be close to completion at the Imam Khomeini Space Center at Semnan for ballistic missiles and satellite launch vehicles.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said that conventional military capabilities are not part of the nuclear talks.

Reuters says the US delegation raised the issue at Wednesday’s first session in Vienna, but “Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif merely laughed and ignored the remarks”, according to one of Tehran’s officials.

MAY 15

We are taking the day off on Thursday as part of our Spring Break. We hope to be back on Friday morning for updates, technical issues permitting.

MAY 14

As Iran and the 5+1 Powers resume nuclear talks in Vienna, the Rouhani Government has had success on another important diplomatic front.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said that Riyadh has invited Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to visit.

“We’ll negotiate with them (Iran), we’ll talk with them,” Prince Saud said. “And our hope is that Iran becomes part of the effort to make the region as safe and as prosperous as possible and not become part of the problem.”

President Rouhani and Zarif have pursued better relations with Saudi Arabia since they came to office last summer. Seeking to defuse tensions over regional issues, the Syrian conflict, and Tehran’s nuclear program, they have sought reciprocal visits by high-level officials.

See Iran Special: Rouhani’s Opportunity for Rapprochement With Saudi Arabia?
Supreme Leader Approves Rafsanjani’s Back-Channel Talks With Saudi Arabia?

Iran welcomed the Saudi statement while saying nothing formal had been established:

Zarif travelled to other Gulf States at the end of 2013, but efforts to arrange his visit or that of Rouhani to Saudi Arabia foundered on opposition within Iran and caution by the Saudis.

Earlier this month the Government made another push, with the Saudi Ambassador to Iran meeting Rouhani and former President Rafsanjani and other Iranian officials.

Rafsanjani has also served as a back-channel to Riyadh, exchanging messages with Saudi King Abdullah.

EU Spokesperson: First Session Was Useful Discussion

Michael Mann, spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s chief negotiator, tweeted some updates on the nuclear talks in Vienna between Iran and the P5+1 countries:

IT Firm Blocks Cyberpolice Bid to Identify Blogger

A Tehran blog-hosting service has refused to cooperate with Iran’s cyber police, FATA, and denied handing over the requested log details behind a blog.

According to the Guardian’s Saeed Kamali Dehghan, the private IT firm Bayan has ‘prompted praise among web users in Iran who see it as a rare move to uphold citizens’ rights.’

Bayan said that the information was protected by its users’ right to privacy under Iranian law, and that only when a request through a judiciary court was issued would the data be released.

Bayan’s director, Ali Ghadiri, published his response to FATA’s head, Seyed Kamal Hadianfar, and stated that Iran’s cyberspace law made it illegal for him to pass on the required information. Ghadiri emphasised the importance of user privacy and said that in order to release the blogger details “someone should file a suit and a court should be opened.”

Moscow and Tehran Discuss Energy Deals

Iran’s ambassador to Moscow, Mehdi Sanayee, and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak met to discuss how to further economic cooperation between the two countries.

Sanayee emphasised the importance of energy deals – notably oil and gas – hoping this would lead to economic improvement in other areas.

Prompted by upcoming meetings at the International Energy Forum (IEF), to be held on May 15th to the 16th in Moscow, Sanayee and Novak similarly discussed the building of steam power plants as well as renovating Iranian power plants.

Rouhani Says His Critics Are Corrupt

President Rouhani hit back at his hardline critics on Tuesday, “In this country, a number of people under the guise of confronting the super powers and fighting against them, stole from the people’s pockets and looted the people’s property.”

Rouhani has coupled widespread discussion of corruption in Iran with the claim that his opponents on the nuclear issue have profited from Western sanctions and want them to continue.

Responding to challenges that Iran’s nuclear negotiators are “incompatible with the independence and dignity” of the Islamic Republic, he said,

“With mere slogans we cannot achieve independence and dignity, and screams and ballyhoo will not win the country any grandeur.”

He warned that the critics “are trying to divert our nation from the path (Iranians) chose last June” by electing him as President.

Supreme Leader on Eve of Nuclear Talks: “We Cannot Be Brought to Our Knees”

The Supreme Leader has maintained a tough public line as nuclear talks with the 5+1 Powers resume in Vienna.

He told visitors from western Iran on Tuesday,

If we activate domestic potentials and concentrate on internal capabilities, the US and other powers won’t be able to take any wrong action, military or non-military, and won’t be able to cripple the Iranian nation through pressure.

The powers should know that the Iranian nation cannot be brought to its knees since it’s a lively nation and its youth are moving on the right path.

In a reference to his predecessor Ayatollah Khomenei, he added “To this day, America hasn’t been able to do a damn thing (to us)…the same goes for the other major powers, they too can’t do a damn thing. And not just militarily…socially they can’t do a damn thing (either).”

(Hat tip: Hanif Zarrabi-Kashani)

MAY 13

WEDNESDAY FEATURE

Picture: Detained Opposition Leader Mousavi in Hospital

UPDATE 2000 GMT: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the European Union’s Catherine Ashton meet ahead of tomorrow’s nuclear talks in Vienna between Iran and the 5+1 Powers:

ASHTON ZARIF 5-14

Iran’s officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency met on Monday in Vienna, on the eve of Tehran’s renewed negotiations with the 5+1 Powers on a comprehensive nuclear agreement.

The IAEA said late Monday:

Progress was reviewed on the implementation of practical measures…agreed three months ago.

Iran has taken several actions and that some related work continues. Discussions on additional practical measures to be implemented in the next steps are ongoing.

Since November, Iran and the IAEA have signed and implemented a series of agreements on inspections and declaration of information, including on nuclear facilities, uranium enrichment plants, and uranium mines. Tehran has said it is open to an arrangement for inspection of military facilities, such as the Parchin base, suspected by the West of holding equipment which can be used in a militarized nuclear programme.

Unnamed “Western diplomats”, using Reuters as an outlet, tried to damp down the positive talk. “Everybody is fairly frustrated at the lack of progress,” said one.

Another claimed, “Iran has real problems in addressing the PMD (possible military dimensions) issues.”

High-level officials from Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, France, China, Russia, and Germany) arrive today in Vienna for Wednesday’s fourth round of plenary talks on a comprehensive nuclear deal.

The two sides are seeking agreement before an interim Joint Plan of Action expires on July 20.

Saudi Arabia Invites Iranian Foreign Minister to Visit

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said on Tuesday that Riyadh has invited Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to visit.

“We’ll negotiate with them (Iran), we’ll talk with them,” Prince Saud said. “And our hope is that Iran becomes part of the effort to make the region as safe and as prosperous as possible and not become part of the problem.”

The announcement is a sign of success for the pursuit of engagement by Iran’s President Rouhani and Zarif. They have used former President Hashemi Rafsanjani to pursue rapprochement with the Saudis after years of tension over regional issues and Tehran’s nuclear program.

Zarif visited other Gulf States at the end of 2013, but efforts to arrange his visit or that of Rouhani to Saudi Arabia foundered on opposition within Iran and caution by the Saudis.

Earlier this month Iran made another push, with the Saudi Ambassador to Iran meeting Rafsanjani and other Iranian officials.

A Tougher Iran Line in This Week’s Nuclear Talks?

Fars News, the outlet of the Revolutionary Guards, is proclaiming a tougher Iranian line in this week’s nuclear talks with the 5+1 Powers.

Fars quotes Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani telling lawmakers on Monday:

Protection of the peaceful nuclear technology of Iran will be the acceptable framework in future talks.

The Foreign Minister and the negotiating team are entitled to continue the negotiations just within this framework and only on the nuclear issue, and nothing more.

The western powers should know that if some overlooking was shown in the preliminary talks, no such a thing would happen in the final negotiations.

MPs said in a statement:

Now that the political negotiations in the nuclear field have neared the final stage, abnormal voices are heard from certain powers again and they think that they can make the nuclear negotiations go astray through such psychological operations.

Therefore, during the negotiations, the honorable Foreign Minister and his negotiating team should defend all the Iranian nation’s nuclear rights based on the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), including enrichment, R&D and its different aspects as well as the Arak heavy-water reactor. (They must) not give up any of the achievements made in area of the peaceful nuclear technology in return for any promises, since they should account to the representatives of the nation.

Iran Uses Pakistan PM Visit to Push Joint Pipeline, Border Security

Iranian media have used Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to push the completion of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.

“I will make my utmost effort to take the two countries’ economic exchanges back to the previous $3 billion volume and even to a higher level, and revive the gas pipeline project,” Sharif reportedly told the Supreme Leader.

The 1681-kilometer project, delivering up to 1 billion cubic feet gas per day from Iran to Pakistan, has founded on Islamabad’s inability to fund the completion of its 781-kilometer section.

Iran has turned down Pakistan’s request for $2 billion to finish the project.

Iran’s media also put out soothing words from Sharif after recent attacks by Sunni insurgents on the Iran-Pakistan border, killing and kidnapping Iranian border guards and other security forces: “I assure you that the Pakistani government spares no efforts to confront the elements of insecurity at the common borders and will also support the Islamic Republic of Iran’s measures.”

In February, the Sunni group Jaish ul-Adl abducted five guards in southeastern Iran and took them across the border. One was executed before negotiations arranged the release of the other four.

Supreme Leader’s Top Aide: Nuclear Program is Only for Civilian Purposes

Echoing President Rouhani, the Supreme Leader’s top foreign policy aide has said Iran is developing its nuclear energy program only for civilian purposes.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s utilization of nuclear know-how is limited to peaceful nuclear energy and production of medical isotopes,” Ali Akbar Velayati told the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Hans Blix, in Tehran on Monday.

Rouhani put out a similar message in a speech on Sunday while saying that Iran will not accept “nuclear apartheid” in negotiations with the 5+1 Powers.