Thursday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 5.5.2005:

EU, Iran nuclear talks near collapse-diplomats

Louis Charbonneau, Reuters:

Talks between Iran and the EU's three biggest powers on the future of Tehran's nuclear program are near collapse as Iran threatens to resume sensitive atomic activities, European diplomats said on Wednesday. ...

"It doesn't look good," a diplomat from one of the three nations told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "The talks could collapse." ...
"The Americans have asked the EU-3 to help set up a road map for the June (IAEA) board meeting," he said.

The IAEA's governing board meets on June 13 -- four days ahead of Iran's presidential elections -- to discuss Iran. READ MORE

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Reuters reports that the United States is seeking the extradition of a former Russian atomic energy minister because he may have sensitive information on Moscow's nuclear ties with Iran.
• Radio Free Europe reports on the prospective candidates for Iran's next presidential election.
• Detroit Free Press reports that the Iranian government is forcing the end of production of the Paykan the Iranian made automobile.
• Adnkronos International reports that Iranian jails are adding a new prisoner "every 47 seconds."
• BBC News reports that the head of Iran's hardline judiciary has launched an unprecedented attack on police interrogators for extracting confessions.
• Dr. Demarche, a member of the State Department Republican Underground, reviews Europe's failure to look honestly at Iran about the Shehab-4.
• Richard Miniter explains the source of the media failures in Iraq.
• The Adventures of Chester reviews an article in Reason magazine, "All Nukes Are Good Nukes: Can the U.S. cobble together a new deterrence for a new world?," discussing such controversial topics as, should US combatant commanders be given wide latitude in the employment of nuclear weapons?
• The Washington Times is convinced we need an exit strategy from the EU3/Iran negotiations.
• The Guardian admits U.S. successes in the Middle East, but they still get it wrong.
• And finally, the U.S. Department of State reports on Secretary Rice, EU's Solana Discussion of Iran. Plus a disturbing update.