Gardaí are continuing to question four men in connection with public order offences following a protest at an address by the Iranian Foreign Minister in Dublin last night.

Iran and the United States resumed public diplomacy today for the first time in more than a quarter century.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said after meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in Geneva today that he believed Tehran was taking ’very seriously’ an offer of incentives to roll back its nuclear programme.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said today that a breakthrough over Tehran’s nuclear program was possible, and welcomed unconditional talks with all parties, including the United States.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin faced down Israeli criticism yesterday, saying Russia's planned sale of anti-aircraft missiles to Syria and supply of nuclear components to Iran does not threaten Israel's security.