LATEST: Zarif Hopes for “Drafting” of Nuclear Agreement by July 20 Deadline

Hard-line Iranian outlets have hit back at MP Ali Motahari, after he revealed that the Supreme Leader rejected high-level appeals for the release of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi, and Zahra Rahnavard.

Motahari said on Sunday that he and others had approached Ayatollah Khamenei three weeks ago with the request to lift strict house arrests imposed in February 2011, amid the regime’s fears of renewed mass protests.

However, according to Motahari, the Supreme Leader said, “Their offenses are too big”, and assured the group, “We have treated them with kindness.”

See Supreme Leader Rejects Release of Detained Opposition Leaders Mousavi & Karroubi

Raja News responded on Tuesday with an open letter asking if Motahari is “An Opportunist or a Critic?”. It advised the MP to re-read the works of his father — the late Ayatollah Morteza Motahari, a leading figure in the pursuit of an Islamic Republic — as these warn of “modern radicalism” and the “influence of foreign ideas”.


Zarif Hopes for “Drafting” of Nuclear Agreement by July 20 Deadline

Arriving for the 6th round of talks in Vienna on a comprehensive nuclear agreement, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed hope for progress towards a settlement — but not completion — before the expiry of an interim deal on July 20.

Zarif, who will meet the European Union’s Catherine Ashton on Wednesday, said, “In this round of talks, the negotiating sides must enter into drafting by July 20.”

The Foreign Minister cautioned against excessive demands by the 5+1 Powers, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not need anything beyond its rights and is ready to allay the concerns of the international community, but we believe that imposition is no way to hold talks.”

Zarif’s comments follow a public warning by US Secretary of State John Kerry that “Iran must choose” to accept an agreement.

See Kerry Warns Tehran Over Nuclear Talks — Why?

The primary issue in the talks appears to be the number and advanced level of Iran’s centrifuges for uranium enrichment.

Video: Iranians Hope for Nuclear Deal, Citing Sanctions and Brain Drain

Iranians tell CNN of their desire for an agreement in Iran’s nuclear talks with the 5+1 Powers, citing the pain of sanctions, fear of war, and the flight of people from the country:

Deputy Foreign Minister Repeats, “No Iran Troops in Iraq”

Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has repeated, amid talks in Moscow with Russian officials, that Iran will not send armed forces to fight Iraq’s insurgents.

However, Abdollahian said Tehran would provide weapons and military consultants if asked, “If Iraq ever requires our arms for an effective combat against terrorism, we will provide these arms in accordance with international law and our bilateral contracts.”

Reports indicate that two battalions of the elite Qods Force, part of the Revolutionary Guards, were sent into Iraq soon after insurgents took the cities of Mosul and Tikrit and advanced on Baghdad. Qods Forces commander Qassem Soleimani inspected frontlines and advised Iraqi political and military leaders.

An Iraqi official also claimed that Tehran had despatched 1,500 Basij militia into eastern Iraq to check the insurgent advance.

The Deputy Foreign Minister continued Iran’s claims of US responsibility for the insurgency, including the Islamic State, “What has happened in Iraq recently is clearly a result of foreign meddling, a plan by the United States. The Americans want to create a second Ukraine in Iraq.”

Abdollahian also chided Kurdish officials, including Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani, over their plans to hold a referendum on independence.

The Deputy Foreign Minister said the Kurdish leaders should face reality and respect Iraq’s Constitution.