Irannews headlines on Thursday include EU expressing pessimism over next Iran nuclear talks; Iran distributingstaple-food coupons to helpcountrys poor; Iran envoy to Baghdad warning of strait closure if US chooses war; Irans former top nuclear negotiator decision to run in upcoming presidential elections and dean of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University remarks oversanctions against Iran nearing end of effectiveness.Uncertainty, pessimism over next Iran nuclear talks
More than two months after US President Barack Obama's re-election opened the way for new six-power nuclear talks with Iran, no date or location for their first meeting since June has been set.
The apparent scheduling woes have combined with recent comments from an Iranian official to raise concerns that the unprecedented sanctions pressure imposed onIranover its nuclear programme has failed to make the country more pliable -- on the contrary even.
Iran may hand staple-food coupons to help poor, Mehr says
Irans government may distribute staple foods to 17 million of the countrys poorest people before theIranian year ends on March 20,Mehrreported, citing an unidentified Commerce Ministry official.Rice, sugar and cooking oil would be handed to those identified as being in need, the official said, according to a report today by the state-run news agency.
Iran diplomat warns of strait closure if US chooses war
TheUnited Stateshas nothing left to pressureTehranover its nuclear programme except for war, and if it chooses conflict Iran could close a key energy chokepoint, its envoy toBaghdadtoldAFPon Thursday.Ambassador Hassan Danaie-Far insisted in an interview that Tehran retained the right to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which a third of the world's traded oil passes, in response to any aggression, military or otherwise.
Irans former top nuclear negotiator set to run for upcoming presidential elections
There are various speculations on the possibility of Hassan Rowhani candidacy in the 11th presidential election which is scheduled to be held in June 2013.Hassan Rowhani, Irans former top nuclear negotiator in an interview withFarssaid, Im still evaluating the issue.Meanwhile,Tasnim Newshad claimed yesterday that the candidacy of Hassan Rowhani in Junes presidential election has become final.
Expert: Iran sanctions near end of effectiveness
A leading academic says there's not much more the world can do to sanction Iran, and that such penalties could drive Tehran to take radical action.The regime of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear activity "really has reached its end," Vali Nasr, dean of the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, said during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
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