AP: A protest over electricity shortages in Iraq’s southern port city of Basra turned deadly on Saturday with troops fatally shooting one demonstrator, police officials said, underscoring rising tension over the country’s lack of basic services.
Iraq police shoot dead protester over power cuts
After the Security Council vote
New York Times – Editorial: There has been a lot of talk, for a long time, about reining in Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Far too many countries have found Iran’s oil wealth simply too hard to resist. There are encouraging signs that for at least some major players, patience with Tehran may be running out.
BP North Sea venture with Iran hit by US ban
Daily Telegraph: The US has imposed sanctions on an Iranian oil company working with BP in the North Sea – listing it as a body that “persons should not do business with”.
Preview: Iran’s new intelligence service
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 19 – An Iranian cleric who is little known in the West is heading an intelligence operation that was formed only last year to counter political unrest, and which has rapidly become the Tehran regime’s main security force. Full report to be published by Iran Focus on Sunday.
12 million Bassijis mobilised – commander
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 18 – More than 12 million Iranians have been organised into the paramilitary Bassij, according to the force’s acting commander.
Iran ranks first for road accident deaths – MP
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 18 – A member of the Majlis (Parliament) Commission on Social Affairs on Friday said Iran ranked highest in the world for fatalities in road accidents.
Iraq rivals draw warning from top cleric as deal hopes dim
AFP: Iraq’s two main contenders to head a new government remained at odds Friday, denting US hopes that a top envoy had advanced the prospects of a deal and drawing a warning from the top Shiite cleric.
Iran calls U.N. sanctions “illegal and invalid”
Reuters: Iran on Friday called United Nations sanctions against its nuclear programme “illegal” and blamed the United States — the main proponent of the measures — for the spread of atomic weapons around the world.
EU targets Iran despite trade ties to Germany, Italy
Wall Street Journal: European Union leaders on Thursday authorized a significant widening of the 27-nation bloc’s sanctions against Iran because of concerns over Tehran’s nuclear-weapons program, in a move that will likely reinforce a slow but steady trend toward weakening economic relations between Europe and Iran.
Anti-government chants continue in the night
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 18 – From the Grapevine… Residents of Tehran’s Rah-e Ahan, Sadeqiya, Arya Shahr, Khosh, Navvab, and Amir-Abad districts on Thursday night chanted “Allah-o Akbar” and “Death to Khamenei”, referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader, from their rooftops.
