Bloomberg: The Aug. 21 opening of Iran’s first nuclear power plant will show the country’s resistance to “extraordinary 
pressure and sanctions,” said Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization.
Iran says nuclear plant’s opening shows resistance to pressure
U-turn over Iran VP’s ‘British idiots’ tirade
The Scotsman: A senior Iranian politician who claimed the British were inhuman idiots ruled by a “mafia” and a stupid prime minister has rowed back on some of his more outrageous remarks.
US support in Iraq needed only ‘a few more years’: diplomat
AFP: US financial support for Iraq will be needed for only a “few more years” until Iraq can tap its vast oil wealth and stand on its own feet, the departing US ambassador to Baghdad said Tuesday.
Iraq’s Allawi says to intensify talks with Sadrists
Reuters: Former Iraqi premier Iyad Allawi said on Tuesday his Sunni-backed Iraqiya alliance would intensify talks with an anti-American Shi’ite movement to try to break a political stalemate.
Latest Iran sanctions will hurt UAE trade: business official
AFP: The latest sanctions on Iran will harm trade with the United Arab Emirates, an Iranian business official said on Tuesday, as UAE authorities said the embargo must not hurt legitimate commerce.
Sanctions impact Iran’s economy
Iran Focus: Tehran, Aug. 17 – The latest round of UN and international sanctions on Iran this summer over its controversial nuclear projects has significantly impacted on the Iranian domestic market, sources tell Iran Focus.
Man, 26, gunned down by Iran police
Iran Focus: Tehran, Aug. 17 – A young man was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon in clashes between people and pro-government militiamen in Yasser Township, south-west Iran, eyewitnesses told Iran Focus.
In Brief: Opposition leaflets distributed in universities in west Iran
Iran Focus: Tehran, Aug. 17 – Leaflets, carrying pictures of Massoud Rajavi, historical leader of the main Iranian opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin, were distributed by activists on university campuses in west of Iran, according to the state-run Iran Network website.
Iran says to unveil array of weapons next week
AFP: Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on Tuesday that Iran will unveil next week an array of weapons, including missiles, speedboats and a long range drone, the ISNA news agency reported.
UAE keen to protect Iran trade despite sanctions: reports
AFP: The United Arab Emirates is keen to protect legitimate trade with Iran even though it is enforcing tough new sanctions against its neighbour across the Gulf, media reports said on Tuesday.
