AFP: Fresh US sanctions aim to “expose and disrupt” links between Iran, Lebanon’s armed Hezbollah movement and Syria, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Saturday.
Clinton says US sanctions hit Iran, Hezbollah and Syria
Iran halts visa-free entry for Turks ahead of summit
AFP: Iran has suspended until at least the end of the month visa-free entry for nationals of Turkey and eight other countries, citing its hosting of a Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, the Mehr news agency reported Saturday.
Standard Chartered said to agree to N.Y. monitor demand
Bloomber: Standard Chartered Plc (STAN) will comply with a New York Department of Financial Services demand that the bank hire an outside monitor to ensure compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering laws, according to a person familiar with the matter.
US says has ‘eyes’ inside Iran nuclear program
AFP: In remarks seemingly aimed at Israel, the United States said Friday it had “eyes” and “visibility” inside Iran’s nuclear program and would know if Tehran made a “breakout” towards a nuclear weapon.
UN rights experts warn of ‘massacre’ in Iraq’s Ashraf camp
AFP: Ten UN human rights experts on Friday denounced the “appalling situation” of 3,400 Iranian refugees in Iraq amid fears of a fresh “massacre” by security forces.
Analysis: Iran seeks to save pivotal Syrian ally
Reuters: Iran, dismayed at the plight of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, is seeking to shore him up and counter a perceived drive by Western and U.S.-aligned Sunni Muslim nations to roll back its own power in the Middle East.
US sanctions Assad allies Iran and Hezbollah
AFP: The United States slapped new sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and its supporters on Friday, seeking to put further pressure on Damascus to end its bloody crackdown on opponents.
Asian oil buyers help Iran stave off the worst, for now
Reuters: Asia’s major crude buyers are finding ways around tough U.S. and EU sanctions to maintain imports from Iran, suggesting that, for now, the worst may be over for the OPEC producer that is losing more than $100 million a day in oil export revenues.
Standard Chartered’s fitenss is key grounds for shutdown
Bloomber: New York’s financial-services regulator has grounds to shut Standard Chartered Plc (STAN) in the state even if he accepts the firm’s argument that it illegally laundered only a fraction of the $250 billion he claims.
Iran playing ‘nefarious’ role in Syria: Rice
AFP: The United States on Thursday accused Iran of playing a “nefarious” role in the Syria conflict, one that strengthens the case for President Bashar al-Assad to be forced out of office.
