AP: The CIA is opening a counterproliferation center to combat the spread of dangerous weapons and technology, a move that comes as Iran is on the verge of fueling up a new nuclear power plant.
CIA forms new center to combat nukes, WMDs
Three farmers killed in central Iraq attack
AFP: Three farmers were killed and leaflets pinned to their bodies Wednesday, warning against cooperation with American and Iraqi forces in a brutal act of intimidation as thousands of US troops leave.
London blasts Iran over stoning case
AFP: London said Iran had showed an “unwillingness” to follow even its own standards in recent judicial cases, after a junior foreign minister met Iran’s ambassador on Wednesday.
Soldier: 300 hanged in a week
Iran Focus: Tehran, Aug. 18 – A soldier who is a prison guard at Vakil-Abad Prison in the city of Mashhad, in Khorassan Razavi Province, northeast Iran, has emailed Iran Focus alleging that some 300 prisoners have been hanged there in the past week.
Analysis: Iran gas ambition requires China to crack LNG secret
Reuters: Iran is unlikely to become a big exporter of natural gas unless China — a crucial partner as international sanctions scare others off — can develop tricky technology to liquefy the country’s massive gas reserves.
New US ambassador to Iraq arrives in Baghdad
AFP: James Jeffrey, the new US ambassador to Iraq, arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday and presented his diplomatic credentials to the conflict-torn nation’s head of state, the US embassy said in a statement.
Venezuela says it will still send gasoline to Iran
Reuters: Venezuela will continue to supply Iran with gasoline despite sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic by the United States, European Union and others, Caracas’s ambassador to Tehran said on Wednesday.
Jailed Iranian student leader moved to new prison
RFE/RL: Jailed Iranian student leader Majid Tavakoli has been transferred from Tehran’s Evin prison to the nearby Rajaeeshahr prison, RFE/RL’s Radio Farda reports.
Russia defends Iran nuclear plant ahead of launch
AFP: Russia on Wednesday defended the nuclear power plant it is building for Iran in the southern city of Bushehr, days ahead of a ceremony to mark the formal launch of the controversial facility.
Iran condemns possible US military action
AP: Iran has taken its case against the United States to the United Nations and is strongly condemning the top U.S. military chief for saying military action remains a possibility if the country develops nuclear weapons.
