Reuters: Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives are due to vote on a tough Iran sanctions bill this week that seeks to squeeze the Islamic Republic’s oil exports to a trickle.
U.S. House set to vote on tough Iran sanctions bill this week
Iran MP urges release of political prisoners
AFP: Conservative lawmaker Ali Motahari on Sunday called for the release of political prisoners in Iran and questioned the ongoing house arrests of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.
Afghan eyes Iran deal to boost trade to Europe, India
Reuters: Afghanistan hopes an agreement with Iran to use one of its ports will help boost exports to Europe and India and reduce its dependence on neighbouring Pakistan’s ports for trade. Iran will allow land-locked Afghanistan to use the port to export goods to India and other countries.
Afghan eyes Iran deal to boost trade to Europe, India
Reuters: Afghanistan hopes an agreement with Iran to use one of its ports will help boost exports to Europe and India and reduce its dependence on neighbouring Pakistan’s ports for trade. Iran will allow land-locked Afghanistan to use the port to export goods to India and other countries.
HPCL slams door on Iran for crude oil imports
The Hindu: In a sign that Western sanctions weigh heavily on it, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has virtually slammed the door on Iran for crude oil imports during 2013-14 and has instead increased imports from Iraq.
Report: Member of Iran minority sets self on fire
AP: An Iranian semi-official news agency is reporting that a member of a small religious minority set himself on fire next to the country’s parliament building. ISNA’s late Saturday report says the man, a member of the Ahl Al-Haq, suddenly poured a bottle of fuel on his body and lit it. It said he was taken to hospital.
Iran offers sovereign cover for vessels, Indian refineries
Indian Express: With India refusing to provide a sovereign guarantee to refineries processing Iranian crude, Iran has stepped in to back Iranian insurance firms that cover the country’s ships and tankers calling at Indian ports, as well as extend insurance to Indian refineries.
Syrian PM to attend Iran’s presidential inauguration: envoy
Xinhua: Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Adnan Mahmoud said Saturday that his country’s prime minister will participate in Iran’s upcoming presidential inauguration, Press TV reported.
Report: Iran’s Ahmadinejad to set up university
AP: An Iranian news website says outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has obtained clearance to establish a technology university in Tehran after he leaves office next week.
Thailand sells 250,000 tonnes of rice to Iranian government
Business Recorder: The Thai government has signed a contract to sell 250,000 tonnes of rice from its stocks to Iran in a government-to-government deal and aimed to sell more to Asian governments, Thailand’s commerce minister said on Thursday.
