AP: Iran’s ambassador to Bulgaria on Friday rejected allegations that his country was involved in a bus bombing that killed five Israeli tourists in Bulgaria last year.
Iran denies role in bus bombing in Bulgaria
Iran’s president defies supreme leader to safeguard his future
Reuters: It was an extraordinary moment in the history of the Islamic Republic. Live on state radio, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani exchanged insult after insult in the assembly chamber last Sunday as shocked lawmakers shouted their disapproval.
Iran releases Slovak arrested for spying
AP: A Slovak national arrested in Iran and accused of spying for the United States has been released and returned home. Iranian authorities claimed in January that 26-year-old Matej Valuch was involved in Central Intelligence Agency activities in Iran.
Iranian-Americans to hold DC convention on Iran policy
Iran Focus: Iranian-American Communities from 37 States across America will gather at the Washington Convention Center on Saturday February 9th, in an event entitled, “Prospect for an Iranian Spring.”
Iran says new U.S. sanctions aimed at creating tension
Reuters: Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that U.S. sanctions imposed this week as part of a broader effort to force Tehran to scrap sensitive nuclear work were aimed at “creating tension” in the Islamic state ahead of June presidential elections.
Sasol’s writedown of Iran unit to hammer first-half earnings
Bloomberg: Sasol Ltd., the world’s largest producer of motor fuel from coal, said profit for the six months through December will be affected by a writedown in the value of its Iranian unit.
UN investigating Iran link to Yemen arms seizure
AFP: UN sanctions experts are investigating the Yemeni government’s claims that Iran supplied rockets and explosives seized from a ship last month, diplomats said.
Supreme Leader of Iran rejects direct talks with U.S.
New York Times: Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rejected any idea of bilateral talks with the United States on Thursday, in a speech in which he seemed to dismiss the views of Iranian officials — including the country’s foreign minister — who had advocated for such negotiations.
Argentine president defends accord with Iran over bombing
Reuters: Argentine President Cristina Fernandez defended a pact with Iran to set up a “truth commission” to investigate the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires and asked Congress on Thursday to approve the accord.
Yemen demands Iran halts support for insurgents
Reuters: Yemen’s president has asked his Iranian counterpart to stop backing armed groups on its soil after coastguards seized a consignment of missiles and rockets believed sent by the Islamic Republic, a government official said on Thursday.
