AP: Iran’s presence is already visible in Iraq, from the droves of pilgrims at Shiite holy sites to the brands of yoghurt and jams on grocery shelves. But now Iraqis are bracing for a potential escalation of Persian influence as the U.S. military leaves at the end of the year.
Iranian influence seeping into Iraq
IAEA to say Iran nearing nuclear capability: report
Reuters: Intelligence provided to the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog agency shows that Iran has mastered the critical steps needed to build a nuclear weapon, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.
Iran hardline cleric hits out at UN nuclear chief
AFP: Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami warned the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday not to become “an instrument without will in the hands of the United States” against Iran.
Iran’s Ahmadinejad defiant as U.S. raises heat-paper
Reuters: The United States fears Iran’s growing military power because it is now able to compete with Israel and the West, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in comments carried by an Egyptian newspaper on Monday.
British firm with links to William Hague sells ‘protester-tracking’ product to Iran
Daily Telegraph: A British technology firm with links to William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, has sold a product to Iran which could be used to track down protesters.
Major UN Iran nuke report expected
AFP: Diplomats to the UN atomic watchdog are bracing for a new report this week providing fresh detail on Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons drive, amid growing speculation of an Israeli military strike.
Rice: Iran’s government has ‘no legitimacy left’
AP: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. should consider even tougher penalties against Iran’s government and “be doing everything we can to bring it down.”
Behind anti-Iran rhetoric, fears of nuclear gains
Washington Post: A new spike in anti-Iran rhetoric and military threats by Western powers is being fueled by fears that Iran is edging closer to the nuclear “breakout” point, when it acquires all the skills and parts needed to quickly build an atomic bomb if it chooses to, Western diplomats and nuclear experts said Friday.
IAEA to lend support to Iran nuclear allegations – sources
Reuters: A report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog next week will support allegations that Iran built a large steel container for carrying out tests with high explosives that could be used in nuclear weapons, sources briefed on the document said on Friday.
China urges Iran be flexible on nuclear programme
Reuters: China urged Iran on Friday to show flexibility over its controversial nuclear programme and warned that the use of force to resolve the issue was the last thing the Middle East needed at the moment.
