MOSCOW -- Iran is ready to sign additional nonproliferation agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency to assure the world it has no intentions of developing nuclear weapons -- but only under certain conditions, the head of the country's atomic energy organization said Tuesday, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported.
Iran "is ready to sign the additional protocol to the agreement on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, but only in an atmosphere of transparency and trust regarding the participants of this document," Gholamreza Aghazadeh said in an interview with the agency and Channel One television, according to ITAR-Tass.
It was not immediately clear what gestures could satisfy Aghazadeh's criteria. But the statement appeared to be an advance for Russia's repeated urging that Iran sign the agreement.
Earlier Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry said Iran and Russia will sign an agreement soon on the return of spent nuclear fuel from Iran to Russia. U.S. officials have said such a move would help reduce Washington's concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Saudi minister: 124 arrests in crackdown
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi police have arrested 124 people during the kingdom's recent crackdown on terrorism, and some of the suspects are linked to Osama bin Laden's terror network, the government said Tuesday.
Saudi authorities launched an extensive manhunt after the May 12 Riyadh bombings that killed 34 people, and a June 14 raid on a terror cell that was allegedly planning attacks in Mecca, Islam's holiest city.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef said 124 people have been arrested in Saudi cities, including the capital, Riyadh, and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The detainees include people linked to al-Qaida, individuals who have returned from Afghanistan, foreign nationals and at least five women, the official Saudi Press Agency quoted the prince as saying.
The minister also said security authorities have confiscated a wide range of weapons, including hundreds of explosive devices and machine guns.
Nigerian police assault strikers in labor rally
LAGOS, Nigeria -- Riot police stormed a major labor rally Tuesday, the second day of a paralyzing national strike in Nigeria, firing into the air and beating union workers and journalists with whips and rifle butts.
At least three journalists, including Associated Press photographer George Osodi, and an unknown number of striking union workers were injured in the police attack on the 1,000-plus rally at a federal government complex in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.
Separately, unions accused police of shooting and killing four protesters Monday in villages around Abuja. Police denied knowledge of such killings.
Police arrested union workers after Tuesday's violent raid, during which hundreds of protesters ran for shelter in the capital's government buildings.
Cancellation of shows results from French strike
PARIS -- An American dance show in a Roman amphitheater and a rendition of the classic play "Cyrano de Bergerac" were among the shows canceled Tuesday in striking by France's artistic community.
The strike threatens to ruin France's summer festival season after the huge CGT union called Tuesday for a wider walkout starting July 8 -- the opening day of the Avignon Festival.
The festival in southern France is the country's biggest summer artistic event, drawing thousands people from all over the world, including the United States. Many have planned their vacations around it and already bought their tickets.
Actors, dancers and technicians are protesting a government plan to restrict their unemployment benefits. The strike has already disrupted some arts festivals in France.
-- From wire reports
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