Daily look at Iran’s late-breaking news and upcoming events:

US sets out ‘bottom lines’ for Iran nuclear deal
The United States set out what it called its “bottom lines” to reach a deal with Iran to rein in its nuclear program, ahead of new talks next week.

 
Iran official criticizes Israeli leader’s ‘scaremongering’
 Iran’s top nuclear negotiator says “scaremongering” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won’t stop the Islamic Republic and world powers from reaching a final nuclear deal.

Iranian oil exports to Japan jump by 34%
The Japanese oil imports from Iran in January 2015 reached 192,000 barrels per day (bpd), showing a 34 percent increase compared to the month before, according to data released by Japanese authorities.

 
Iranian FM: Sanctions serious hurdle to N. deal
 Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined that Tehran and the six world powers (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) have made progress and are at a sensitive stage in their nuclear talks, but the issue of sanctions has become a stumbling block.

Top U.S. negotiator: If we get an Iran deal, the world will ‘Judge it as a good thing’
President Barack Obama’s top negotiator to the Iran nuclear talks pushed back against her critics on Capitol Hill, arguing that the world would rally behind an agreement if the two sides manage to hammer out a deal this year.

 
Operational phase of radiation drill opens in Bushehr
 A defense commander said the operational phase of 3rd radiation drill launched in Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in this southern province on Saturday.

 
White House plays down use of military force over Iran’s nuclear hopes
Recent comments by officials suggest shift from Obama’s previous threats.

 
Lavrov optimistic over Iran’s membership in SCO
Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed hoped that conditions will be created for Iran’s membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

 
Iran nuclear talks to remain unaffected by Netanyahu US visit – White House
White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said that the Israeli Prime Minister’s Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming speech in US Congress would hardly affect the Iran nuclear negotiations.

 
Iran nuclear talks advancing, no deal likely next week: U.S. official
 Talks on curbing Iran’s nuclear program have made substantial progress, a senior U.S. official said on Friday as the White House braced for an onslaught of criticism next week from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.