Iran news headlines on Monday include Russia urging resumption of Iran-P5+1 talks; UN nuclear chief calling Iran talks as “going around in circles”; Iraq warning of Israel on using airspace for strike against Iran; country calling for expansion of closer ties with Cairo and Afghan Taliban confirmation of talks in Iran.
 
Russia urges swift resumption of Iran-P5+1 talks
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has called on Iran and the P5+1 group of world powers to resume talks mainly on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program as soon as possible. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Ryabkov added that Russia proposes the Kazakh city of Almaty as a potential venue for talks between Tehran and the P5+1.

 
U.N. nuclear chief: Iran talks “going round in circles”
The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief said on Monday talks with Iran have been “going around in circles” – unusually blunt criticism pointing to rising tension over suspected nuclear arms research by Tehran that has increased fears of a new Middle East war. Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, vented growing frustration at the lack of results in getting Iran to address suspicions of military dimensions to its atomic energy program. Tehran denies the accusations.

 
Iraq warns Israel on using airspace in Iran strike
Baghdad has warned Israel that it would respond to any attempts by the Jewish state to use Iraqi airspace for a strike against Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, a top Iraqi minister told AFP. The remarks from Hussein al-Shahristani, deputy prime minister responsible for energy affairs, mark the first time a senior Iraqi official has publicly warned Israel against entering its airspace — the most direct route — to hit targets in Iran.

 
Iran’s deputy foreign minister urges closer Tehran-Cairo ties
Iran’s deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs has called for the promotion of regional and international cooperation between Tehran and Cairo. The two nations should enhance mutual relations, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in a meeting with a group of visiting Egyptian journalists on Sunday.

 
Afghan Taliban confirm talks in Iran
A Taliban spokesman has confirmed that the Afghan insurgents have sent a delegation to Iran for three days of talks. The unprecedented meeting signals that Iran could be seeking the role of regional mediator between the Taliban and Kabul.

 

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