The Latest from Iran (26 March): Ahmadinejad Grabs the Spotlight

President Ahmadinejad with Afghan President Karzai (left) and Tajik President Rahmon (right)

See also The Latest from Iran (25 March): Expanding the Sanctions

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2050 GMT: Nuclear Watch. If true, this Associated Press report does not bode well for the resumption of talks on 13 April over Iran's uranium enrichment:

[Diplomats say] sensibilities generated by failed previous rounds and disputes on what should be discussed are keeping them from finding a venue.

They say the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China oppose Iran's choice of Istanbul because the last round of talks there 14 months ago ended in failure.

They say Iran, in turn, rejects Vienna because it is home to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is trying to probe allegations Tehran secretly worked on nuclear weapons.

The diplomats said Monday other venues are still being discussed and the start of the talks is not in jeopardy.

(For what's it worth, I think this is posturing and the talks will go ahead in Istanbul --- if not, this would be a slap in the face by the US and allies to Turkey, as it tries to elevate its broker's role in international affairs.)

1950 GMT: All the President's Men. Controversial Presidential aide Saeed Mortazavi is already causing ripples in his new post as head of the Social Security Fund: he has replaced 20 managers in the organisation.

1940 GMT: Agriculture Watch. Back from an extended break to find Eghbal Mohammadi of Parliament's Agricultural Committee declaring that the Islamic Republic has potential in the sector but "import clans" control the market.

Mohammadi said that the Government and the Majlis must support the agricultural sector and farmers, given the damage caused by imports in recent years.

1401 GMT: Economy Watch. Mahmoud Bahmani, the head of the Central Bank, has warned of a possible increase in inflation --- officially at 21% --- over the next year.

1357 GMT: Subsidy Cuts Watch. MP Elias Naderan said that the second phase of the Government's subsidy cuts is illegal because it has been restricted by Parliamentary action.

The Government has said for months that the second phase is "imminent". Yesterday it announced a 50% increase in support payments to cover rising prices because of the cuts.

1350 GMT: Bank Fraud Watch. The fourth hearing in the trial of 32 defendants over the $2.6 billion bank fraud will be tomorrow. Meanwhile, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Iran's Inspector General, has said that there is "no doubt" that the Government supported the Amir Mansur Aria Group, the firm at the centre of the embezzlement.

1315 GMT: Picture of the Day. Blogger and physician Mehdi Khazali, recently released from prison on bail after a 70-day hunger strike, on a hike in Darabad, near Tehran:

0945 GMT: Human Rights Watch. Mehriran.de posts an interview with Ahmad Shaheed, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Iran, about his work and its reception by the Islamic Republic: "I am positive because they are listening to what I am saying and doing but [the regime is] still in denial of what is happening in Iran."

0820 GMT: Look Over There! Nice touch by Fars this morning --- amidst all the issues over Iran's oil industry at home and abroad, the website's lead story is on American "anger and concern" over rising gasoline prices.

0620 GMT: Amidst a relatively quiet period in Iranian politics, President Ahmadinejad is seizing an opportunity --- all too rare for him in recent months --- to claim the advantage of publicity. His three-day visit to Tajikistan for the International Nowruz Celebrations is filled with rhetoric and photo opportunities.

The President is proclaiming solidarity with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikstan of "amicable relations and joint cooperation to curb the interference of trans-regional states": "NATO and the United States should change their policy because the time when they dictate their conditions to the world has passed." With his Afghan and Tajik counterparts, Ahmadinejad has signed an accord to use financial assets for the "exchange of oil, gas, and water". Meanwhile, State news outlet IRNA puts out the pictures: