Iran’s raucous election campaign falls silent, voters contemplate whether to oust Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s raucous election campaign fell silent a day before the vote as rallies were barred Thursday to give the public time to reflect on whether they want to keep hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power or replace him with a reformist more open to closer ties with the West.

US cautiously watching Iran election for signs of openness to engagement

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is cautiously watching Iran’s presidential election this week for signs that the Islamic Republic may be willing to engage with United States, but U.S. officials have meager expectations for change.

Seeing ‘green’ in Iran: reformist campaign coming into bloom in election homestretch

TEHRAN, Iran — It’s just a two-sentence text message bouncing among young Iranian voters. But it carries some big hopes.

Obama, Sarkozy, agree on call for Israel to stop building settlements in West Bank

CAEN, France — President Barack Obama and French President Nicholas Sarkozy are again mutually calling for Iran not to develop a nuclear weapons program.

Obama talks on range of issues with French President Sarkozy; to pay tribute to D-Day’s heroes

CAEN, France — The global recession, Afghanistan, Iran and Mideast peace topped the agenda of talks Saturday between President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy before the leaders commemorated the D-Day invasion that cemented the trans-Atlantic alliance.

Obama talks on range of issues with French President Sarkozy, pays tribute to D-Day’s heroes

CAEN, France — The global recession, Afghanistan, Iran and Mideast peace topped the agenda of talks Saturday between President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy before the leaders commemorated the D-Day invasion that cemented the trans-Atlantic alliance.

Obama to pay tribute to D-Day’s heroes, discuss Iran and Mideast with French president

CAEN, France — President Barack Obama turns Saturday to the icons and heroes of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, paying tribute to a feat that cemented the trans-Atlantic alliance in a bid to shore up today’s U.S.-Europe relationship.

Muslims praise Obama speech as shift in US tone, but want to see him stand up to Israel

CAIRO — Muslim shopkeepers, students and even radical groups such as Hamas praised President Barack Obama’s address Thursday as a positive shift in U.S. attitude and tone. But Arabs and Muslims of all political stripes said they want him to turn his words into action — particularly in standing up to Israel.

Muslims see Obama speech as shift in US attitude, but no breakthrough until actions follow

CAIRO — Muslim shopkeepers, students and even radical groups such as Hamas praised President Barack Obama’s address Thursday as a positive shift in U.S. attitude and tone. But Arabs and Muslims of all political stripes said they want him to turn his words into action - particularly in standing up to Israel.

Iran shuts border point with Pakistan following mosque attack

QUETTA - In the wake of recent attack on a mosque that killed 25 people in the border city of Zahedan, Iran has decided to close the zero point along the Pak-Iran border.

Think tank accuses Ahmadinejad of distorting nuclear facts to boost election chances

TEHRAN, Iran — A moderate think tank led by Iran’s former top nuclear negotiator accused President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of distorting facts about the country’s nuclear program to depict himself as a hero and improve his chances in the upcoming election.

Iran’s supreme leader rebukes Ahmadinejad over expanding presidential powers

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s supreme leader publicly rebuked the president over his removal of a top official, a rare show of discontent with the hard-line Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by the country’s most powerful figure.

A reformist candidate in Iran’s presidential race vows to reverse Ahmadinejad’s polices

TEHRAN, Iran — A reformist challenger to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Tuesday that he would reverse the president’s hard-line policies, including the denial of the Holocaust, if he wins the June presidential vote.

Clinton tries to reassure Iraqis worried about safety; says US withdrawal still on schedule

BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tried to reassure nervous Iraqis that the U.S. won’t abandon them, even as she said the American troop withdrawal would stay on schedule despite a recent surge in violence.

Clinton tries to reassure Iraqis worried about safety; says US withdrawal still on schedule

BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tried to reassure nervous Iraqis that the U.S. won’t abandon them, even as she said the American troop withdrawal would stay on schedule despite a recent surge in violence.

Iran rejects Obama’s offer until real change observed

TEHRAN/WASHINGTON - Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Saturday rejected an offer by US President Barack Obama to open a new era in relations until Tehran could see real changes in US policies.

Iran’s foreign minister studying Obama’s message

TEHRAN - In a first official reaction, Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki late Friday said he was studying an offer by US President Barack Obama to open a new era in relations and put old divisions aside.

Iran’s supreme leader grants amnesty to 950 prisoners

TEHRAN - Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has granted amnesty to 950 prisoners earlier convicted by various courts in the country, IRNA reported Tuesday.

Iran to hold conference over Gaza crisis

TEHRAN - Iran will hold an international conference to discuss the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following the 22-day military offensive by Israel, IRNA reported Tuesday.

Iran warns Iraq over prolonged presence of US forces

TEHRAN - Iran’s supreme leader Saturday warned Iraq over the prolonged presence of US forces in that country, the Iranian media reported.

Iran wants to expand ties with Iraq: Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN - Iran always wanted to expand its relations and cooperate with Iraq, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani at their summit meeting here Friday.

Iran celebrates 30 years of Islamic revolution

TEHRAN - Ten days of fastivities began in Iran Saturday to mark the 30th anniversary of Islamic revolution and the homecoming of the country’s revolutionary father Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after 15 years of exile.

Iranian leader calls on Arabs to stop ‘Zionist wolves’

TEHRAN - Iran’s supreme leader Sunday called on Arab states to stop what he called ‘Zionist (Israeli) wolves’ from committing ‘further crimes’ against Palestinians in Gaza.