But will their apparent bond prove productive as European capitals struggle to save the Iran nuclear deal from Trump's impulsive wrath? The idea will be tested Monday when the French leader begins a state visit in Washington, and European diplomats have a lot invested in what seems a tricky task. There is not much time. Trump is due to decide by May 12th whether talks with Paris, Berlin and London on tougher anti-Iran measures have advanced far enough. If he feels the "flaws" in the 2015 deal have not been adequately repaired, he may decide to withdraw his support, opening the way for renewed US sanctions that could torpedo the whole accord. Europe would see this as a disaster, both in terms of the deal itself -- a central plank in their non-proliferation strategy -- and in terms of relations with Washington. If anyone can talk down Trump, it might be Macron, who has better relations with the White House than his British and German counterparts Theresa May and Angela Merkel. READ … [Read more...] about Can Macron’s White House visit save the Iran deal?
Iran
Iran Open To Talks On Prisoners If U.S. Shifts ‘Attitude,’ Zarif Says
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Washington must undergo "a change in attitude" before negotiations can begin over several U.S. citizens being held prisoner in Iran. Negotiations are a "possibility, certainly from a humanitarian perspective, but it requires a change of attitude," Zarif told CBS TV’s Face the Nation program scheduled to air on April 22. "It is important... for the [Trump] administration to show the ability to engage in a respectful dialogue," Zarif said. "The United States needs to learn how to treat other sovereign nations, particularly sovereign nations who do not depend on the United States for continued existence." At least five Americans are held being in Tehran and have been sentenced to prison in Iran on espionage-related charges. Zarif brought up the possibility of a prisoner on health or humanitarian grounds, but he said the current U.S. attitude makes such talks impossible. One of the prisoners, Baquer Namazi, is 81 and in poor health. … [Read more...] about Iran Open To Talks On Prisoners If U.S. Shifts ‘Attitude,’ Zarif Says
Tehran Names Condition for New Iran-US Prisoner Swap
On Saturday, the US CBS News broadcaster released its interview with Zarif in which the issue of detention of US citizens in Iran was discussed. "It is a possibility, certainly from a humanitarian perspective, but it requires a change of attitude," Zarif told the broadcaster when asked if Tehran would consider the possibility of holding a prisoner swap like the one, which took place during the administration of former US President Barack Obama. © AP Photo / Iranian Presidency OfficeDon't Play With Atoms: Iran Warns 'to Resume Nuclear Activities' if JCPOA ScrappedWashington needs to "show the ability to engage in respectful discourse" in order for Tehran to be willing to carry out talks with the United States on the issue of the US citizens imprisoned in Iran, Zarif noted. Zarif also noted, that despite the Iranian diplomats were unable to influence the … [Read more...] about Tehran Names Condition for New Iran-US Prisoner Swap
Iran would talk prisoners if US shows respect: Zarif
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran is open to prisoner swap negotiations with the US if the Trump administration shows a "change of attitude." Negotiations are a "possibility certainly from a humanitarian perspective, but it requires a change of attitude," Zarif said in an interview with CBS television's "Face the Nation" set to air Sunday. Five Americans are held in Tehran, including 81-year-old Baquer Namazi, who is in failing health. Zarif blasted the US administration for showing "disrespect" toward Iran, a frequent target of President Donald Trump's wrath. Trump has said he wants to rip up the Iran nuclear deal, and his new National Security Advisor John Bolton has advocated for regime change in Tehran. "You do not engage in negotiations by exercising disrespect for a country, for its people, for its government, by openly making claims, including this illusion about regime change," Zarif said, according to interview excerpts. In January 2016, after months of … [Read more...] about Iran would talk prisoners if US shows respect: Zarif
Iran’s religious police confront woman with loosely wrapped headscarf
A member of Iran's 'religious police' has been filmed ordering a woman to "sit you animal" - after reportedly confronting her because she was wearing her headscarf too loosely. Iran's vice president for women's affairs has condemned the incident involving a member of the country's so-called 'morality police'. The confrontation was captured on a mobile phone camera and has been widely circulated online. After an exchange of words - during which the woman is told "sit, you animal!" - a female religious police officer appears to push and shove her. The encounter then grows more violent, as the woman cries for help. She is slapped in the face and wrestled to the floor. The young woman can be heard screaming repeatedly: “Let me go, let me go.” The footage was spread on social media by activists campaigning against the compulsory wearing of the hijab in Iran. The video was posted on Instagram by Masih Alinejad, a US-based Iranian activist and her post drew more than 21,700 … [Read more...] about Iran’s religious police confront woman with loosely wrapped headscarf