Iran Wants More EU Activity in Nuke Talks

In meeting with the Portugese Foreign Minister in Tehran yesterday, Iran FM Mohammad-Javad Zarif "hailed what he termed as 'positive' the European countries' current approach to oppose the imposition of any new sanctions against Tehran and trying out diplomacy."  Also, during the same visit President Rhohani stated the problems in the talks aren't legal or techincal, they're political.

Sanctions on Iran - Battle in the Senate

Numerous sources (here, here, here too) reported last week the GOP-led Congress intends to move to increase sanctions against Iran, as well as a vote on any Iran/P5+1 deal.  When asked for comment onthe scope of the santions, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Corker replied it will not be "your mother's sanction bill."  UN Ambassador Powers urged Congress to hold off.  But santions are not limited to the GOP -- Democratic Senator Bob Menendez is drafting bi-partisan legislation, "but only in the event that no deal is reached by the June deadline established by the international coalition that is pressing Iran."  Senators opposed to sanctions are mounting a counter.  CNN explains why this is a big deal.

Iran & Venezuelan Efforts to Shore Up Oil Prices Fall Short; Iran: Industry Can Survive $25 Oil

Reuters reports efforts by Venezuela & Iran to shore up oil prices with its OPEC partners fall short.  Iran sees no sign of a shift within OPEC toward action to support oil prices, its oil minister said, adding its oil industry could ride out a further price slump to $25 a barrel.

Limited Progress After Last 5 Day's Talks; P5+1 to Meet in Feb

The last five day's diplomacy yielded limited progress. Reuters reported France's negotiator Nicolas de la Riviere comment "The mood was very good, but I don't think we made a lot of progress,"  Further, "all sides agreed to step up efforts to reach a political understanding by the end of March with a view to clinching a full-blown deal by their self-imposed deadline of June 30."

Zarif & Kerry Circumspect About Deal Prospects; Zarif Encourages More Russian Engagement

BBC reports on the Geneva meeting between Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif & SecState Kerry in advance of today's Iran/US political-level discussions and this weekend's gathering of the P6+1.  Interestingly, Zarif expressly opined "that giving Russia a more active role in the talks could be one way to speed things up. Both principals were noncommittal about prospect for success. 

Rouhani: Countries behind oil price drop will suffer

Reuters (Moghtader) reported on Iranian President Rouhani's statement on Tuesday "countries behind the fall in global oil prices would regret their decision and warned that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait would suffer alongside Iran from the price drop."

Kerry & Zarif to Meet; Next Round of Political-level talks in Geneva will be "test of Iran's flexibility"

The next round of political meetings is this week, and SecState Kerry is meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif tomorrow.  As the LA Times reported, the US's & Iran's political teams will meet Thursday through Saturday, (1/15 through 1/17), and on 1/18 diplomats from all seven countries involved in the negotiations will hold a final session. Note the P5+1 is joined by China.

Iran & Venzuela Pledge to Work Together on Low Oil

AP's Ali Akbar Dareinin reported Iran and Venezuela vowed on January 10th to "to work together to stabilize falling global oil prices as Iran's supreme leader accused "enemies" of using crude prices as a political weapon." Khanenei continued, "Our common enemies are using oil as a political weapon and they definitely have a role in the sharp fall in oil price," state television quoted. . .