Chicago Tribune: Sen. Mark Kirk, who has been recovering from a stroke, is expected back at the Capitol in January. That’s welcome news. We’re also happy to report that Kirk hasn’t let his focus slip on one vital national security issue: stopping Iran from building a nuclear weapon.
Senate votes to squeeze Iran
Iran shows domestically produced helicopters
AP: Iran’s state TV says the country has put its first domestically produced helicopters into service, displaying them at an air show. The report says the 12-passenger Panha-1 and eight-passenger Panha-2 helicopters have military capabilities.
Canada announces new sanctions against Iran
AFP: Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced more sanctions against Iran Tuesday, ramping up pressure on Tehran to scrap its nuclear program.
Iran insists on nuclear “right” ahead of IAEA talks
Reuters: Iran voiced readiness on Tuesday to address concerns of U.N. nuclear inspectors about its atomic activities in talks this week but said its “right” to refine uranium should be part of any agreement.
Record number of reporters jailed globally: Report
AP: The Committee to Protect Journalists on Tuesday said Turkey, Iran and China have imprisoned the most journalists. The journalists’ group says that such states are using stepped-up anti-terror and anti-state charges to silence critical reporters.
Visit delay raises questions over Iran-Pakistan project
AFP: Pakistan’s president has delayed a visit to Iran to discuss a huge gas deal despite Tehran’s offer of a loan to help finance a project which the US opposes, officials said Tuesday.
Tehran denies Iranian missile experts in North Korea
AFP: Iran on Tuesday denied a South Korean report that its missile experts were in North Korea offering technical assistance for the planned launch of a long-range rocket.
Iran to build oil refinery near Caspian Sea, Tehran Times says
Bloomberg: The Iranian Oil Ministry plans to build a refinery near the Caspian Sea that will process crude from the Sardar Jangal field, the Tehran Times reported, citing Masoud Jahdi, the explorations director of Khazar Oil Co.
Iran arrests 28 over links to religious networks
AP: Tehran’s chief prosecutor says authorities have arrested 28 Iranians for alleged links to foreign-based TV networks advocating the Baha’i religion, which is banned in the Islamic Republic.
Iran says Western sanctions harm safety for ships
Reuters: Western sanctions imposed over the past months against Iran’s shipping industry will seriously affect international maritime and environmental safety, a senior Iranian official said.
