AFP: Iran has made arrangements to start selling its oil in any currency rather than just the US dollar, central bank chief Mahmoud Bahmani said in a report on Friday.
Iran ready to sell oil in any currency: central bank
Lebanon bans Iranian-made biopic of Christ
AFP: Two Lebanese television networks were banned Friday from showing an Iranian-made biopic on the life of Jesus Christ, officials said after the film sparked outrage among the country’s Christians.
Brazil’s Caixa to fund $1.3 bln in exports to Iran, Valor says
Bloomberg: Brazil’s state-controlled Caixa Economica Federal will finance up to 1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) in beef shipments to Iran after private banks refused to extend credit to exporters, fearing retaliation from the U.S. and European Union, Valor Economico said.
UN expert urges Iran to end US hiker’s solitary confinement
AFP: A UN expert on torture has appealed to Tehran to end the solitary confinement of Sarah Shourd, one of the three US hikers detained without trial for more than a year in Iran, her mother said Friday.
Russia deal shows Iran does not need enrichment: White House
AFP: Iran’s preparation to launch its first nuclear power reactor, built with Russian assistance, shows that Tehran does not need to pursue its controversial plans for uranium enrichment, the White House said Friday.
Guards involved in smuggling at Iran port
Iran Focus: Tehran, Aug. 13 – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is running a major smuggling network from the southern Iranian island of Qeshm, situated in the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf below the port city of Bandar Abbas in mainland Iran, according to a leaked IRGC internal report.
Iran activist’s personal account of activities against the state
Iran Focus: Tehran, Aug. 13 – The following is a personal account emailed to Iran Focus by a pro-democracy activist of activities earlier this week to mobilise anti-government protests. The activist’s name is being deliberately withheld:
Wheat rally will raise deficits in North Africa, Iran, FAO says
Bloomberg: Higher wheat prices will raise budget deficits in North Africa and Iran because of spending on bread subsidies, said Abdolreza Abbassian, senior grains economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization
Slogans target Iran’s Supreme Leader
Iran Focus: Tehran, Aug. 13 – From the Grapevine… Slogans targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are among a number of mantras that appeared on Saturday and Tuesday in various areas of Tehran, political activists say. Vanak Square and Jordan, Saberi, Sherafat, Sedaqat and Sayeh streets had anti-regime graffiti on some of their walls.
Activists continue graffiti campaign in Iran capital
Iran Focus: Tehran, Aug. 13 – From the Grapevine… Political activists in Tehran earlier this week filled public sites with anti-regime graffiti. Slogans condemning the authorities and inviting people to participate in further protests were written in a number of areas in the Iranian capital.
