Iran news headlines on Thursday include Iranian leader rejection of direct talks with US and ordering officials tostop feuding;Iran canceling visa requirements for Egyptian merchants and tourists; resumption of Iran and Senegal ties;Ahmadinejad urging negotiations, elections in Syria andIran planning to produce UAVs in other countries.Irans supreme leader rejects direct talks with US
Irans supreme leader has rejected proposals for direct talks with United States, apparently quashing suggestions for a breakthrough dialogue on the nuclear standoff and other issues.
Thursdays statement posted on Ayatollah Ali Khameneis website marks his first reaction to the proposals for the one-on-one talks, which received cautious support last week from Irans foreign minister.
Iranian leader urges officials to end spats, support Irans interests
Irans Supreme Leader AyatollahAli Khameneiurged an end to political infighting after a rivalry between the president and the parliamentary speaker became public, saying the nations interests must be given priority.
Officials must preserve the countrys interests and put aside these shows of bad character, Ayatollah Khamenei was quoted as saying during a meeting with air force commanders, the officialIslamic Republic News Agencyreported.
Iran to let in Egyptians without visas
Iranwill cancel visa requirements for Egyptian merchants and tourists, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi told Egypts state news agency on Wednesday.
He also said relations between the two countries, who broke ties in 1979, were improving every day.
Iran and Senegal to resume ties after 2-year break -MENA
Iran andSenegalwill resume diplomatic ties and reopen embassies in one anothers capitals, Egyptian state media reported on Thursday, ending two years of estrangement over Tehrans alleged links to Senegalese rebels.
Dakar broke off relations with Iran in February, 2011, accusing Tehran of supporting separatist rebels in its southern Casamance region.
Ahmadinejad urges negotiations, elections in Syria
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he wants his allies in the Syrian regime to negotiate with the opposition for the staging of a free election, in an interview with Egyptian state television.
The two sides should sit at the negotiations table to find a solution to the crisis, through mutual understanding, Ahmadinejad, who is on a visit to Egypt, said in the interview broadcast late Wednesday.
Iran plans to produce UAVs abroad: commander
Irans Deputy Defense Minister Mohammad Eslami said that the Islamic republic has plans to produce unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in other countries, semi- official Fars news agency reported on Thursday.
Today, Iranian drones have many clients, Eslami said, adding that We are in for a big market for Iranian drones.
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