LATEST: “Senior Official”: Iran Looking for Replacement for Iraq PM Maliki
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has indicated that the next round of talks for a comprehensive nuclear settlement will be in New York in late September.
The 6th set of discussions ended after 16 days on July 18 in Vienna without a resolution. However, Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia) agreed to extend an interim agreement until November 24 and continue negotiations.
Araqchi said Monday, “The meeting between Iran and the 5+1 is very likely to be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session but its level is not determined yet.”
The Minister chided the 5+1 for not showing more urgency to complete discussions: “What is obvious is that the other side calls for a longer time, while we call for a shorter time for the talks.”
The biggest obstacle to a resolution is agreement on the number and level of Iranian centrifuges for enrichment of uranium to 5%.
Other issues include the status of Iranian facilities such as the Arak heavy-water reactor and Fordoo enrichment plant, arrangements for inspections and supervision, the duration of an agreement, and the lifting of US-led sanctions.
“Senior Official”: Iran Looking for Replacement for Iraq PM Maliki
A “senior Iranian official” said on Tuesday that Tehran is trying to find a replacement for Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to form a new Government, but is finding few suitable candidates.
Iran had expressed firm backing for Maliki after his position was further jeopardized by an insurgent offensive in early June that took the cities of Mosul and Tikrit and advanced on Baghdad.
The Prime Minister has still not been confirmed by Parliament followed the April 30 elections for the legislature.
“We have reached the conclusion that Maliki cannot preserve the unity of Iraq anymore,” the official said, although Iraq’s leading Shia cleric, Ayatollah Ali Sistani, “still has hopes”.
He continued, “Now, Ayatollah Sistani also backs our view on Maliki.”
The official said Iran’s Ambassador in Baghdad had held consultations with political factions and potential replacements; however, “There are not many candidates who can and have the capability to preserve the unity of Iraq.”
Prosecutor General: Investigation of Detained Journalists Rezaian and Salehi “In Preliminary Phase”
Iran Prosecutor General Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei confirmed on Monday that one of four journalists arrested on July 22 had been released on bail; however, he did not comment specifically on the status the Washington Post’s correspondent in Tehran, Jason Rezaian, or his wife, journalist Yeganeh Salehi.
Rezaian and Salehi were seized on unspecified charges, along with a photographer and her husband. The photographer’s husband was released six days later.
Ejei gave no other details on Monday, saying, “The investigation is in the preliminary phase.”
Commander of Revolutionary Guards: “We Are Ready for Day of Annihilation of Zionist Regime”
Iran’s rhetorical offensive on the Gaza War continues, with its hosting of a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement and a declaration by the commander of the Revolutionary Guards that Muslim unity will “annihilate” the Israeli leadership.
General Mohammad Ali Jafari said on Monday, “We are ready to support the Palestinian resistance in different dimensions,” while proclaiming Iran’s support for Muslim unity: “Shiites and Sunnis are of no difference to us, and our devotion and dedication goes to all the Muslim world and the oppressed.”
Jafari added the Muslim unity would destroy the Zionist regime: “we are ready for that day”.
Addressing the Foreign Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement, President Rouhani condemned the “savage aggression” of Israel against Gaza:
(It) is killing and committing genocide against a nation through flagrant and a huge massacre of the civilians and the destruction of civilian centers, including infrastructural facilities, residential areas, clinical centers, schools, mosques, and even the relief and rescue and media groups.
