AFP: A US submarine’s periscope struck a vessel in the Gulf on Thursday but apparently caused no major damage or injuries, the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet said in a statement.
US sub’s periscope strikes vessel in Gulf: Navy
Obama Pentagon pick calls US senators, clarifies views on Iran
Reuters: Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama’s pick to become the next U.S. defense secretary, has begun calling critics in the Senate in an attempt to c l arify his views about how to deal with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas before his upcoming nomination hearing.
US tells banks to guard against Iranian activity
AP: The Obama administration wants U.S. banks to enhance monitoring of exchange houses in the Middle East and elsewhere for Iranian attempts to evade economic sanctions.
Iran FM in Cairo talks on Syria conflict
AFP:Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Thursday urged Middle East nations to promote a solution for Syria’s conflict that excludes “foreign intervention,” after talks in Cairo with Egyptian leaders.
Nuclear talks with Iran delayed
The Guardian: Tehran has declared itself ready for talks this month, but the office of the EU foreign affairs chief, Cathy Ashton, whose job it is to arrange the negotiations, has yet to get a clear Iranian response to its suggestion of a mid-January meeting in Istanbul.
Australia expands sanctions against Iran
AP: Australia has expanded sanctions against Iran amid growing concerns over the country’s suspected nuclear weapons program. Foreign Minister Bob Carr said in a statement Thursday that the new sanctions affect the financial, trade, energy and transport sectors.
Iran blamed for cyber onslaught on US banks
AFP: US financial institutions are being pounded with high-powered cyber attacks that some suspect are being orchestrated by Iran as payback for political sanctions.
Iran arrests 5 musicians over dissident contacts
AP: Iranian police have arrested five members of an underground band suspected of producing music for Farsi-speaking, dissident satellite channels based in the U.S.
Iranians freed in major prisoner swap in Syria
AP: Rebels freed 48 Iranians on Wednesday in exchange for more than 2,000 prisoners, including women and children, held by Syrian authorities — a deal struck after rare negotiations involving regional powers Turkey, Qatar and Iran.
Briton jailed in US over Iran missile smuggling
AFP: A British businessman was sentenced to 33 months in a US prison Wednesday for trying to smuggle a key missile component to Iran, officials said.
