LATEST: “Feminism and Islamic State Are Two Sides of the Same Coin” Minted By Western Intelligence Services

Iran has denied that it has reached any resolution with the US and other powers on the status of its nuclear facilities, two weeks after talks for a comprehensive agreement were adjourned.

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday, “Any agreement about Arak (heavy-water reactor) or Fordoo (uranium enrichment plant) is denied. No agreement has so far been reached about the issues under discussion [with six world powers], including these two sites, and the differences still remain.”

Araqchi was knocking back testimony on Tuesday by the lead US negotiator, Wendy Sherman, to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in which she cited “tangible progress in key areas”: “(Iran) promised not to fuel or install remaining components at the research reactor in Arak….It allowed inspectors to have daily access at the Natanz enrichment facility and the underground plant at Fordoo.”

Iran’s rebuttal is probably linked to its concern that agreement on Natanz, Fordoo, and Arak must be part of a full settlement in which Tehran is guaranteed self-sufficiency in uranium enrichment for its civilian nuclear program, as well as the lifting of all US-led sanctions.

The sixth set of talks on a comprehensive settlement ended on July 18 after 16 days, with Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia) agreeing to extend an interim arrangement and to resume discussions in September.

The major obstacle to a deal is the number and level of Iranian centrifuges for enrichment. Iran wants to expand its current capacity by about 20 times; the US and European allies want a freeze, if not a reduction.

“Feminism and Islamic State Are Two Sides of the Same Coin” Minted By Western Intelligence Services

Javan News, close to the Revolutionary Guards, comes up with a novel way to fight both the cultural war against feminists and the political battle against the jihadist Islamic State — link the two as creations of Western intelligence services.

The site says that both women’s right activists and the Islamic State are being used to subvert Iran, Syria, Iraq, and other countries, with the Western agencies using a “three-part formula” to “disturb the balance of the population” and “create gaps in national unity”.

Javan does not explain how if feminists and the Islamic State, not known for forward thinking on women’s rights, know of the sinister project.

Iran’s Oil Exports to Asia Up 25% From January to June, Compared to 2013

Iran’s top four customers — China, India, Japan, and South Korea — bought 25% more oil from January to June, compared to the same period in 2013.

The four countries imported 1.2 million barrels per day in the first half of 2014, compared to 961,236 bpd last year.

The jump was led by China, which raised imports by almost 50%, and India increased its purchases by a third.

Imports by Japan and South Korea fell over the same period.

EA sources say China’s purchases, a record high for imports from the Islamic Republic, are likely to settle and even fall slightly in the next few months as Beijing has filled up its oil reserves.

Iran’s exports are still about 40% below the level of 2.2 million barrels per day at the start of 2012, before the impact of US-led sanctions.