AFP: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday vowed to complete a mutli-billion dollar gas pipeline to Pakistan on time, downplaying financial woes and US pressure on Islamabad to scrap the project.
Ahmadinejad vows to complete Pakistan gas pipeline by 2014
Iran angered after France’s Fabius blames Tehran for Gaza conflict
Reuters: Iran reacted angrily to assertions by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and accused him of not understanding the realities in the region after the diplomat accused Tehran of being responsible for the Gaza conflict.
Israel desire to attack Iran “childish”: Ahmadinejad
Reuters: Israel has a “childish” desire to attack Iran and Tehran is capable of defending itself, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday.
Iran says blogger may have died as a result of “shock”: report
Reuters: Iran said on Thursday a blogger who died while in police custody may have lost his life as a result of a form of shock, the official IRNA news agency reported, adding that investigations were not yet concluded.
Navy to briefly reduce carriers in Persian Gulf
AP: The Navy said Wednesday it will temporarily shrink its aircraft carrier presence in the Persian Gulf area from two to one because of a mechanical problem with the USS Nimitz, a carrier based in Everett, Wash.
China’s Iran oil imports drop further
Wall Street Journal: China’s imports of Iranian crude oil are down by about one-fifth so far this year, a drop that puts the country in good position to avoid U.S. sanctions and head off a diplomatic row with Washington.
Iranian missiles in Gaza fight give Tehran government a lift
New York Times: Above the bustling Niayesh highway in the western part of the Iranian capital, a huge billboard hangs on an overpass to remind drivers of Iran’s missile abilities. Cars zip underneath the image of a green missile on a launcher and text in Persian saying “Destination Tel Aviv.”
Iranian blogger’s mother accuses authorities of killing him
Guardian: The mother of an Iranian blogger who died in custody has accused the authorities of killing her son and launching an intimidation campaign against her family.
Hamas says ‘Israel failed in its goals’
AFP: Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal said on Wednesday that Israel had “failed in all its goals” after a Gaza truce deal came into effect, while thanking Egypt’s President Morsi for his support.
Four more years to solve Iran crisis – if we’re lucky
The Hill: As the celebrations continued long into the night, Iran analysts were wondering what impact four more years would bring to relations between Tehran and Washington.
