New York Times: After suppressing the political protests that followed last year’s disputed presidential election, Iran’s security forces are now on the alert for a new kind of domestic threat — strikes and civil unrest provoked by planned cuts in fuel subsidies.
Iranian officials warn of unrest tied to subsidy cuts
Oman in talks with Iran to help free Americans
Reuters: Oman is negotiating with Iran for the release of two Americans held in Tehran for more than a year on suspicion of spying, an Omani foreign ministry official said on Monday.
US warns citizens ahead of Iran leader’s Lebanon visit
AFP: The United States on Monday urged its citizens in Lebanon to remain vigilant during the Iranian president’s high-profile visit to the country this week, warning of possible demonstrations and violence.
Iran arrests two “fake” foreign journalists: report
Reuters: Two foreign nationals have been arrested, an Iranian judiciary official said on Monday, after interviewing the son of a woman whose sentence of death by stoning for adultery was recently suspended amid international condemnation.
Iran Khodro seeks to quadruple car output in Venezuela
Bloomberg: Iran Khodro, the country’s largest automaker, aims to quadruple to 60,000 the number of cars it assembles each year in a venture with the Venezuelan government, in a sign of deepening commercial ties between two U.S. foes.
Allawi, Saudi king discuss Iraq
AFP: Former Iraqi prime Minister Iyad Allawi held talks on Iraq with Saudi King Abdullah Sunday as Baghdad marked seven months of political stalemate after the March elections.
An uncanny fatwa
Iran Focus – Editorial: The U.S. State Department issued an advisory earlier this month telling Americans to be vigilant about possible terrorist attacks when travelling to Europe.
Iran rebels say kidnap nuclear expert
Reuters: Iranian Sunni rebels said on Sunday they had kidnapped a nuclear scientist and would publish secrets he knows about Iran’s nuclear programme unless 200 political prisoners were released.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to build major highway
Reuters: A company controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards has been given a contract to build a major highway, a newspaper reported on Sunday, the latest example of the elite military unit expanding its economic influence.
Iran Khodro turns to Turkey as Malaysia leaves venture
Bloomberg: Iran Khodro, the country’s largest carmaker, plans to discuss joint venture plans with Turkey after Malaysia pulled out of a project to build a car focused on Islamic buyers.
