Iran news headlines on Thursdayinclude Jalili expressing readiness for further nuke talks with world powers; US sanctions on Iran gold imports; an Iranian cleric remarks overimpossibility of women presidency in country; Iran's Guardian Council extension of timefor vetting presidential hopefuls andUS failure in wrestling with Iran.Iran says ready for nuclear talks with world powers
Iran is prepared to pursue nuclear diplomacy with world powers before or after next months presidential election in the Islamic Republic, its chief negotiator said on Thursday. Saeed Jalili, who is also a candidate in the presidential race, was speaking after talks on the nuclear dispute with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
US targets Iran rial, gold imports in sanctions pressure
The US is aiming to block gold sales to Iranians to boost pressure on the rial currency, as it steps up sanctions over the countrys alleged nuclear weapons program, officials said Wednesday. Top officials of the US Treasury and State Department said in Congressional testimony that sanctions were having a deep impact on Tehran, interrupting oil exports at a cost of $3-5 billion a month and contracting the economy.
Iranian cleric: Women cant be president in Iran
A member of Irans constitutional watchdog says women cannot be presidential candidates, effectively killing the longshot bids by about 30 women seeking to run in the June 14 election. Even before Thursdays comments by , chances for a woman candidate in Irans presidential election were considered nearly impossible.
Irans Guardian Council extends deadline for vetting presidential hopefuls
Irans top electoral supervisory body, the Guardian Council (GC), has extended the deadline for announcing the names of approved hopefuls for the June 14 presidential race. Abbas-Ali Kadkhodaei, the spokesman for the body, said Thursday that the Guardian Council will have until the 21st of May to announce the final list of candidates.
Iran beats US in Grand Central exhibition
Irans wrestling team visited the United States for the first time in a decade and found a virtual home meet. The fans waving Iranian flags and stomping on the temporary bleachers were treated to a show of dominance by the wrestling power Wednesday in the exhibition at Grand Central Terminal. Iran beat the Americans 6-1.
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