U.N. Nuclear talks with Iran fail, no new meeting set;
U.N. Inspectors returned on Thursday from talks in Tehran with no deal on reviving a nuclear investigation and no date for a new meeting, failing to produce even a small signal of hope for big power diplomacy aimed at averting a war. Ref. Source 3
Symantec discovers 2005 US computer virus attack on Iran nuclear plants:
The discovery means that the US and Israel, who are believed to have jointly developed the software in order to carry out an almost undetectable attack on Iran's nuclear bomb-making ambitions, were working on the scheme long before it came to public notice Ref. Source 9
Biden at AIPAC conference:
Obama is not bluffing on Iran: Biden says U.S. Prefers diplomatic solution, but it is 'important that the world is with us if we have to act'; all options 'including military force are on the table,' he notes. Ref. Source 7
U.S. Presses European bank to cut Iran out of transfer system:
David Cohen, an undersecretary of the Treasury, said in a Senate Banking Committee hearing Thursday that his department is pressing the ECB to ban access by Iranian officials to "Target2," the bank's cross-border funds transfer system. Ref. Source 9
US Calls Iran's Nuclear Reactor Plans 'Deeply Troubling':
Iran hit back, saying the IAEA had had continuous access to Arak and that the United States, which accuses Tehran of seeking nuclear weapons capability, could not be trusted after going to war in Iraq over reports of weapons of mass destruction that were never found. Ref. Source 3
President Barack Obama said he doesn't believe the difficult history between the United States and Iran can be overcome overnight because suspicion runs too deep. "But I do believe that if we can resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear program, that can serve as a major step down a long road toward a different relationship -- one based on mutual interests and mutual respect."
Obama told the U.N. General Assembly today that he is directing Secretary of State John Kerry to work with Iran's government on a diplomatic solution to the issue of Iran's nuclear program. He added, "The roadblocks may prove to be too great, but I firmly believe the diplomatic path must be tested."
Obama said he is "Encouraged that President (Hassan) Rouhani received from the Iranian people a mandate to pursue a more moderate course." Ref. CNN