Bloomberg: Tensions with Iran drove U.S. crude oil prices to a high for this year of $110.55 a barrel March 1 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Yesterday, oil for December delivery dropped 50 cents, or 0.6 percent, to settle at $85.57 a barrel on the New York market.
Turmoil dims Obama’s goals for Mideast peace negotiations
Israel official at White House for Syria, Iran talks
AFP: President Barack Obama’s national security advisor met Monday with his Israeli counterpart at the White House for talks on the conflict in Syria and Iran’s nuclear program, officials said.
Iran prosecutor: Blogger died in police custody
AP Iran’s state prosecutor confirmed Monday that a jailed blogger died in police custody last week and that wounds were found on his body, the first official confirmation of his death while being held.
‘Khamenei approval required’ for direct US talks
AFP: Iran stressed on Monday that any decision to hold direct talks with the United States on Tehran’s disputed nuclear programme would have to be taken by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran interference concern to all: GCC Secretary-General
Bloomberg: Iran’s alleged meddling in the regional internal affairs is a concern to the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, Secretary-General Abdul Latif Bin Rashid Al Zayani told reporters in Dubai today.
Hong Kong to cut Iranian ships from register: letter
Reuters: Hong Kong will stop allowing 19 ships linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) from operating under its flag, a government letter showed, in the latest blow to Tehran’s sanctions-hit global trade.
Saudi tells U.N. Iran trespassing on its territory: report
Reuters: Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of straying onto its territory near oil and gas fields in the Gulf and warned it was looking at how to respond, the Saudi ambassador to the United Nations said.
Iran expresses hope of deal on nuclear watchdog visit to Parchin
Reuters: Iran expressed hope on Monday that a planned meeting with the U.N. nuclear watchdog next month would lead to a “framework of cooperation” on a possible visit by inspectors to the Parchin military site.
Iran VP: We will break Obama’s ‘grasping hands’
AP: Iran’s vice president said Monday that Tehran will break the ‘grasping hands’ of newly re-elected President Barack Obama, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Israel warns of painful response to fire from Gaza, Syria
Bloomberg: “The Islamic Jihad, which is setting the pace in terms of rocket fire, is a client of Iran and Iran is also a main backer of Syria” said Jonathan Spyer, a professor of political science at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya.
