AP: Syria’s most powerful ally and protector, Russia, began positioning itself Thursday for the fall of President Bashar Assad, saying for the first time that rebels might overthrow him and preparing to evacuate thousands of Russian citizens from the country.
Russia positions itself for fall of Syrian regime
U.N. nuclear inspectors in Iran, no sign of Parchin visit
Reuters: Inspectors from the U.N. nuclear watchdog arrived in Tehran on Thursday to hold talks over Iran’s disputed nuclear program but there was no sign they would gain access to the Parchin military complex as requested.
Mitsubishi Bank fined $8.6 mn for flouting US sanctions
AFP: Mitsubishi UFJ, Japan’s biggest bank, must pay US authorities a fine totaling some $8.6 million for flouting US sanctions on Iran, Sudan, Myanmar and Cuba, the US Treasury Department said.
Sakharov prize honours those ‘standing up for better Iran’
AFP: The European Parliament roundly condemned Iran as it awarded its prestigious Sakharov prize Wednesday to lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and film-maker Jafar Panahi, who are both detained back home.
Victims of 1983 Beirut bombing drop Standard Chartered lawsuit
Reuters: The estates of victims of the 1983 bombing of U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut have dropped a lawsuit against Standard Chartered Plc (STAN.L) that accused the bank of concealing Iranian transactions that could have satisfied a $2.67 billion judgment.
OPEC keeps output target on hold amid weak economy
AP: OPEC ministers agreed to keep their daily crude production target unchanged at a meeting Wednesday. But in a sign of internal rivalries, they failed to reach consensus on a new secretary general, a post sought by Saudi Arabia, Iran and resurgent oil-power Iraq.
Inspectors hope for Parchin access in Iran visit
AFP: The UN atomic agency’s chief inspector said he hopes Iran will grant his team access to the Parchin military base during talks in Tehran on Thursday. “We also hope that Iran will allow us to go the site of Parchin,” Herman Nackaerts told reporters at Vienna airport on Wednesday on his way to Tehran for the meeting.
Iran indicts 18 American officials, ex-officials
AP: Iran’s deputy judiciary chief says the Islamic Republic has issued indictments against 18 unnamed current and former American officials on charges of involvement in “crimes against Iran.” His remarks did not indicate that any of the men were present in Iran.
OPEC meets over oil output, to pick new head
AFP: Iran’s Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi added to the expectation of there being no change, stating that crude supply and demand was “relatively balanced” and that “prices are okay.”
Iran temporarily shuts consulate after Afghan protest
AFP: Iran has temporarily shut its consulate in the Afghan city of Herat after protesters there attacked the mission’s compound, the official IRNA news agency reported Tuesday quoting a foreign ministry source.
