Tehran Times 
 
Nuclear accord ‘possible this week’, says Zarif
A deal to end the standoff between Iran and the West over its nuclear program could be reached at talks in Geneva this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told FRANCE 24 on Tuesday.

 
‘No link between  murder of Zabol  prosecutor and executions’
The public prosecutor of the Iranian city of Zabol in the southeastern province of Sistan- Baluchestan was killed by unidentified gunmen early on Wednesday morning.

 
We are ready to host big football events, Rouhani tells FIFA chief
Iranian President Hassaan Rouhani says that Iran is fully prepared to host major international football tournaments.

 
Ukraine signs shale gas deal with Chevron
Ukraine on Tuesday signed a deal worth up to $10bn with Chevron to exploit its shale gas reserves – one of the biggest such agreements in Europe to date – as it steps up efforts to break free from its reliance on Russian gas.

 
U.S. sees settlements as ‘illegitimate’: Kerry
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has reaffirmed Washington’s position that Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories is “illegitimate.”

Geneva talks a litmus test for 5+1 group: Iranian negotiator
A senior member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team has said the talks in Geneva which start today will be a “test” for the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany).

 
Iran urges elimination of all ‘inhuman’ nuclear weapons
On Monday, Iran’s UN ambassador called nuclear weapons the greatest threat to present and future generations. Mohammad Khazaee told a meeting of the General Assembly’s disarmament committee that “the total elimination of these inhuman weapons is the only absolute guarantee against their threat or use.”

 
Zarif hopes Iran, 5+1 will continue nuclear talks seriously
In a meeting with his French counterpart Laurent Fabius in Paris on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the major powers as progressive and expressed hope that the two sides would seriously continue the talks.

 
All parties involved in Iran nuclear talks should strive for solid progress: China
China hopes that all parties who are involved in talks over Iran’s nuclear program will conduct negotiations in a practical manner and strive for solid progress, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei told his regular press conference on Tuesday.

 
150 MPs ask president to monitor appointments at Science Ministry
One hundred and fifty MPs have written a letter to President Hassan Rouhani asking him to intervene and stop what they called “controversial appointments by the science, research and technology minister.”

 
Iran, world powers to resume nuclear talks today
Iran and world powers are scheduled to begin two days of negotiations in Geneva today, which are aimed at resolving the decade-old dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program.

 
Iranian forces kill eight drug smugglers in Kerman Province
Iranian forces have killed eight drug smugglers in a shootout near the city of Baft in Kerman Province, Kerman Public Prosecutor Mohammad Mohaqeq announced on Tuesday.

 
Russia optimistic about Iran nuclear talks: Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed optimism about the resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue.

 
Iran Daily 
 
Nuclear deal possible in Geneva this week
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said a framework deal could be reached in the upcoming nuclear talks between Iran and the six major world powers in Geneva.

Rouhani receives Blatter
Head of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Joseph Sepp Blatter arrived in Tehran early Wednesday morning to attend the 2nd International Science and Football Congress.

 
No obstacles to US participation in energy projects
There are no obstacles to the participation of American firms in Iran’s energy and other economic projects, said the head of Presidential Office.

 
Berri: Diplomatic logic brings West to its knees
Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri hailed Iran’s diplomatic efforts over Syria and said it has brought the West to its knees through its diplomatic logic.

 
Egypt court upholds ruling to ban brotherhood
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood failed in an attempt on Wednesday to overturn a court ruling banning it, another blow to the Islamist movement.

 
MP: Majlis supports closer ties with Europe 
Senior lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi said the Majlis supports promotion of friendly relations with European countries.

 
Tehran, Astana can make Caspian secure 
Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said the Islamic Republic and neighboring Kazakhstan can work together to define the legal regime of the Caspian Sea and ensure the security of the land-locked lake.

 
Austrian Deputy FM: Iran most stable in Mideast
Austrian Deputy Foreign Minister Reinhold Lopatka has described the Islamic Republic of Iran as the most stable country in the Middle East region.

 
Zabol prosecutor killed in terror attack 
An Iranian prosecutor and his driver have been killed in the south-eastern province of Sistan- Baluchistan .The prosecutor of the city of Zabol in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province was gunned down in a terrorist attack by unknown assailants on Wednesday, said head of the provincial Justice Department, Ibrahim Hamidi, Mehr News Agency reported.

 
Enrichment right should be recognized 
A diplomatic source in Tehran said Iran has called on the six major world powers to recognize its right to enrich uranium for the nuclear negotiations to move forward.